"I never heard her name before," continued Vernon, "but I learned that she had just been fitted up for the accommodation of the governor-general of Bombay and his staff, all of whom were on board."
"And they are prisoners?" asked Tempest.
"They are."
"What a ransom they would have had to pay the Lively Bee!"
"Yes," laughed Vernon; "they are better off on the Constitution."
"You have brought great, good news."
"Indeed I have."
"What became of the Java?"
"She was fired, and only bits of charred wreckage remain of one of the best English frigates."
"What did Scarron think?" asked Tempest.