Chapter 21. Voyage Of The Research Commenced...

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_ CHAPTER TWENTY ONE. VOYAGE OF THE RESEARCH COMMENCED--NORAH'S ANXIETIES--A CALM--TROPICAL SEA--A GALE SPRINGS UP--THE SHIP RUNS BEFORE IT--AGAIN STANDS TO THE WESTWARD--A DANGEROUS POSITION--AMONG ISLANDS AND REEFS--A SUSPICIOUS SAIL--CHASED--THE OUZEL GALLEY--THE PIRATE'S FLAG--THE PIRATE BEGINS FIRING--NORAH PLACED IN THE HOLD--A FORT SEEN ON THE ISLAND--NO BOATS COME OFF--THE ISLAND PASSED--THE PIRATES FORE-TOPSAIL YARD SHOT AWAY-- THE SECOND MATE AND SEVERAL MEN OF THE RESEARCH KILLED OR WOUNDED--A CALM--DAMAGES REPAIRED--A BREEZE SPRINGS UP--THE PIRATE OVERTAKES THE RESEARCH--RUNS HER ON BOARD--FEARFUL SLAUGHTER OF HER CREW--CAPTURED-- THE TWO OLD CAPTAINS UNHURT--NORAH'S INTERVIEW WITH THE PIRATE--TAKEN ON BOARD THE OUZEL GALLEY--COURTEOUSLY TREATED--A SAIL IN SIGHT--CHASED BY A FRIGATE--THE OUZEL GALLEY ESCAPES AMONG THE REEFS--A CALM--THE FRIGATE'S BOATS APPROACH TO ATTACK HER--A BREEZE SPRINGS UP--SHE ESCAPES.

The two old captains were well aware of the numerous perils they might possibly have to encounter when they sailed on their voyage in the _Research_, but for the sake of Norah they took care to make light of them whenever their prospects of success were discussed in her presence. Norah very naturally would ask questions, and to those questions they were compelled to try and find answers. In what part of the numberless groups of those western islands were they to search for Owen and Gerald? One subject absorbed all their thoughts--on that alone could they converse. Even when Captain O'Brien, as he frequently did, tried to introduce any other, it before long was sure to merge into that one. Norah day after day would unroll the chart of the West Indies, and pore over it for hours, till she knew the form and position and size of every island and key, and reef and sandbank, delineated thereon. The ship had already reached the tropics when a heavy gale sprang up from the westward, before which she was compelled to run for three days. She then had a long beat back, and the weather being unusually thick, no observations could be taken to determine her position. Day after day the two captains and the first mate came on deck at noon with their quadrants, but not a break in the clouds appeared through which they could get a glimpse of the sun.

They calculated at last that they could not be far off the most western of the Bahamas, and, as they hoped, near the entrance of the Windward Passage. At sunset the clouds dispersed, the wind shifted to the northward, the stars shone brightly forth from the clear sky, and it was hoped that the next day they might be able to determine their position. As no land had yet been seen, they stood on for the greater part of the night; but towards morning, Captain Tracy; afraid of running further, hove the ship to, to wait for daylight.

Even before the first streaks of dawn appeared above the eastern horizon, the two mates, followed by Captain O'Brien, went aloft, eager to catch the expected sight of land. What was their surprise to discover it not only to the westward, where they had looked for it, but away to the south-east and over the starboard quarter. The ship had run in during the night among a group of islands, but what islands they were it was difficult to determine. Norah had dressed and appeared from her cabin as her father and Captain O'Brien came below to consult the chart.

"Here is our position, if I mistake not," said Captain Tracy, placing his finger on the chart. "We are further to the south'ard than I had supposed. An ugly place to have got to, but it might have been worse; the ship would have chanced to run foul of a reef had we stood on. But, Heaven be praised, we've escaped that disaster, and we'll now try to thread our way into the Windward Passage."

While the course to be pursued was still under debate, a cry from aloft was heard of--"A sail to the nor'ard!"

The captains hurried on deck, followed by Norah. "What is she like?" asked Captain Tracy.

"A large ship under all sail, standing this way, sir," answered the second mate.

In a short time it became evident that the _Research_ was seen by the stranger, for the latter set every stitch of canvas she could carry, and steered directly after her.

A small island appeared ahead. At first it was proposed to pass to the westward of it, but the look-out from the mast-head discovering several dark rocks rising above the surface, and extending to a considerable distance in that direction, the ship's course was altered so that she would run along the eastern side of the island, as close in as prudence would allow. It was hoped that, to the southward of the island, a channel might be found which would lead her clear of the rocks and shoals by which she was surrounded.

Norah, who had continued on deck, had seldom withdrawn her eyes from the stranger, which appeared to her to be much nearer than when first seen. "What do you think, Captain O'Brien--is not that vessel fast gaining on us?" she asked.

"That may be, my dear Miss Norah, but it need not make us fear that she will come up with us," answered the old captain, who could not deny the fact. "She hitherto has had the advantage of a stronger breeze than has filled our sails, but we may shortly get more wind and slip away from her. If she does come up with us, we may find that she is perfectly honest, and that we had no cause to try and keep out of her way; so don't be alarmed, my dear, but go below and have some breakfast--it is on the table by this time--and your father or I will join you presently. One of us must remain on deck to look out for any reefs which may run off that island yonder."

Captain Tracy giving Norah the same advice, she unwillingly went below, and took her seat at the breakfast-table to await their appearance. She waited and waited, but neither of the captains nor the first mate came below. They were all, indeed, too busily engaged in watching the progress of the stranger and discussing her character to think of breakfast. She had been bringing up a much stronger breeze than had hitherto filled the sails of the _Research_, to which she had now got almost within gunshot. Captain Tracy had for some time been intently examining her through his telescope.

"Tell me if you have ever seen that craft before," he said, handing it to Captain O'Brien. "My eyes may deceive me, and it may be mere fancy, but I cannot help thinking that she is a ship I ought to know well."

"By my faith, I ought to know her too," exclaimed Captain O'Brien. "If that vessel isn't the _Ouzel Galley_, she has been built to look like her. Perhaps, after all, our friend Owen may have run her on one of the unfrequented keys to the nor'ard, and, having only lately got her afloat and refitted, is now on his way to Jamaica. He is therefore naturally anxious to speak an English ship, to hear news from home."

"That vessel may be the _Ouzel Galley_, but Owen Massey would never hoist such a piece of bunting as that," cried Captain Tracy, who, having again taken the telescope, was looking towards the stranger, which had just then run up to her fore topgallant mast-head a black flag with the well-known pirate's device of a death's head and cross-bones. The object was evidently to intimidate the crew of the chase.

Directly afterwards the stranger yawed and fired her foremost gun. The shot came flying across the water, but, after several times striking the surface, sank short of the _Research_. There was no longer any doubt of the character of the stranger.

"Lads," cried Captain Tracy, "you see that flag! Death or worse than death will be our lot if we don't beat off the piccarooning villains who have hoisted it. They think to frighten us; but stand to your guns like men, and we'll beat her off." The crew cheered, and promised to do their duty.

Norah had not heard the sound of the gun fired by the pirate, but the men's hearty cheers reaching the cabin, she hurried on deck to learn what caused them. Just as she appeared, the pirate, again yawing, fired three shot in rapid succession, one of which glanced along the side of the _Research_. Captain Tracy had just ordered two guns to be brought aft, and the crew were engaged in the operation, when, seeing Norah, he begged Captain O'Brien to take her below and to place her where she could be out of the way of harm. She had seen enough, however, to show her the state of affairs; her fears were realised.

"Come away, my dear," said the old captain, taking her hand. "Bound shot are ugly playthings for young ladies, and the sooner we get you stowed safely away the more ready we shall be to carry on the game with yonder gentleman. We'll beat him, so don't be alarmed when you hear our guns firing. Perhaps we shall knock some of his spars away, and we shall then take the liberty of leaving him to repair damages at his leisure."

Captain O'Brien thus talked on, endeavouring to keep up Sarah's spirits, as he conducted her to a secure place in the hold, which, with the help of the cook and steward, he set about arranging for her. It reminded her of the place to which she and Gerald had been sent on board the _Ouzel Galley_, when her father and Owen, with their handful of men, had so bravely fought the famous Captain Thurot and his numerous crew. The recollection of that event encouraged her to hope that the well-manned _Research_ would beat off a vessel much larger than herself, however desperately the pirate's ruffianly crew might fight. She sat with her hands clasped, endeavouring to retain her composure. She would have been thankful for any occupation, but she could do nothing but sit still and wait for the result of the impending fight--yes, she could pray; and earnestly she did so, that her beloved father and his friends might be protected from the shot of the foe.

When Captain O'Brien returned on deck, he found that the two guns had been pointed through the stern-ports. The match was applied, and both were fired by the first mate in quick succession; but no visible effect was produced on the enemy's spars.

"Run them in, my lads, and load again," cried Captain Tracy. "Let me see what I can do; if we can wing the pirate, we shall be saved further trouble." Running his eye along one of the guns, he fired; Captain O'Brien at the same time discharging the other. Looking through his telescope, Captain Tracy uttered an exclamation of impatience as he could discover no damage caused by the shot on the pirate's rigging. The broad spread of white canvas remained extended as before to the yards. "We must try again and again till we succeed," he exclaimed; "maybe we shall have better luck next time." While the guns were being run in and loaded, he turned his telescope towards the island, which was now broad on the starboard beam. "Why, as I live, there is a British ensign flying above what looks very like a fort in the centre of the island!" he exclaimed. "If there is anchorage under it, we can run in and set the pirate at defiance. He does not appear to have discovered the fort, or he would not venture so near it."

Captain O'Brien took the glass, and minutely examined the coast. "I see no opening between the reefs through which we could get up anywhere near the fort," he observed. "Were we to attempt to run in, we should very probably get the ship on the rocks, and be far worse off than we are likely to be if we stand on and trust to our guns to beat off the piccaroon. Though the sea is so smooth here, the surf is breaking heavily on the reefs and shore. If you'll take my advice, you'll not make the attempt. There must be Englishmen on the island, though how they came there is more than I can say, but I am very sure that, on seeing a British ship chased by a pirate, they would come off to our assistance if they could launch their boats through the surf."

Captain Tracy acknowledged that his friend was right. To stand in closer to the reefs in order to look for an opening through them would be, should one not be found, to allow the pirate to come up and attack them with rocks close aboard.

The two ships ran on for some distance, the pirate gaining but slightly, if at all, on the chase. All the time a rapid fire was kept up from the two guns run through the stern-ports of the _Research_, the pirate almost as frequently discharging her bow-chasers. Her shot as she drew close began to tell with deadly effect. The second mate was the first to fall; two of the crew were soon afterwards desperately wounded, and another was killed; still the spars and rigging had hitherto escaped much damage. Matters were becoming very serious, when the shot from a gun trained by Captain O'Brien brought down the pirate's fore-topsail yard; the studding-sail booms being carried away at the same time, the studding-sails were seen flapping wildly in the wind.

"I am thankful that my old eyes are still of some use," he said, as he saw the effect he had produced. The British crew cheered right lustily.

The wind, which had been falling, breezed up a little, and the _Research_ glided on out of reach of the pirate's guns. Not a moment was lost in repairing the slight damages her rigging had received. It was seen, however, that the pirates were similarly employed.

"The yard was only shot away in the slings, without damaging the mast, I fear," observed Captain O'Brien. "It will take the rascals some time, however, before they can sway it aloft, and ere then, if this breeze holds, we shall have run the pirate well out of sight."

But the breeze did not hold. As the day advanced the wind fell, and the two vessels lay becalmed just within long range of each other's guns. Both continued firing as before.

Poor Norah, as she sat all alone in the dark hold, was not forgotten. Sometimes Captain O'Brien and sometimes her father hurried below to say a few cheering words, assuring her that they hoped before long to get clear of the pirate.

The calm continued, allowing time to repair damages, and to commit the poor fellows who had been killed to the deep. A breeze was eagerly looked-for by all on board the _Research_. Should it come from the eastward, she would probably get it as soon as the pirate and retain her present advantage, but if from the northward, the enemy might creep up to her before she could move. Preparations were made for every emergency. The crew stood ready to brace the yards, from which the sails hung down against the masts, as might be required; the guns were loaded, and run out; pikes, cutlasses, muskets, and pistols were placed ready, in convenient positions to be grasped, should the pirate succeed in getting alongside.

The day wore on, and evening was approaching. The old captains were looking out astern.

"Do you see yonder dark line of water?" asked Captain O'Brien, grasping his friend's arm. "The pirate, after all, will get the wind before we do."

"It cannot be helped. We must do our best, and trust in Providence," answered Captain Tracy. "Our men will prove staunch, and though the villains outnumber them, and their metal is heavier than ours, we may still beat them off."

In less than a minute the sails of the pirate were seen to blowout, and she began slowly to glide through the water. Those of the _Research_ gave a few loud flaps against the masts, and then hung down again, then swelled slightly to the breeze; but before she had gathered way, the pirate had gained considerably on her.

"We must try to stop her progress," exclaimed Captain O'Brien. "A gold doubloon to the man who first knocks away a spar; and if I succeed myself, I'll keep it in my pocket."

The old captain fired one of the stern guns as he spoke, but the shot did no harm to their pursuer. The first mate and the most experienced gunners among the crew tried their hands with no better success. The speed of the _Research_ was increasing, but the pirate, having now got a steady breeze, came on faster than she was going through the water.

"If we can maintain our present distance, we may still escape the enemy during the night," observed Captain Tracy.

The sun was setting on the starboard hand, casting a ruddy glow on the sails of the two ships.

"Would that we could knock away a few of her spars, though," said Captain O'Brien; "it would make the matter more certain."

"It is to be hoped that she'll not knock away some of ours," remarked the first mate, as he observed the pirate yawing.

By doing so she brought her starboard broadside to bear on the _Research_, and every gun from it was fired at once. Although no one on deck was hurt, it wrought sad havoc in the rigging: braces and shrouds were shot away, the main-topsail yard was cut almost in two, the foreyard was severely damaged, and two or three of the lighter spars were knocked away. The old captains gazed up at the injuries which had thus suddenly been produced. To repair them seemed almost hopeless.

"I feared it would be so," muttered the first mate. "These fellows have some good gunners among them, as we shall find too soon to our cost."

Still neither of the sturdy old captains were inclined to despair. Hands were sent aloft to fish the foreyard, and to knot and splice the most important parts of the running rigging. The main-topgallantsail was let fly, the main-topsail brailed up so as to take the strain off the yard. The two stern guns were in the mean time kept actively employed.

The pirate gained more and more on the chase.

"We shall have to fight it out, yardarm to yardarm, if the pirates so choose, or maybe they think fit to board us," muttered the first mate. "They have the game in their own hands, and if we cannot manage to beat them back, they'll be masters of the _Research_ before long."

He spoke too low for the rest of the crew to hear him, but his words reached Captain O'Brien's ears.

"Cheer up, Mr Rymer; never say die while there's a chance of life," he observed. "Though we may not like the look of things, it's better not to let the men know what we think, or our good captain either. He must be sorely troubled with the thoughts of the fearful position in which his young daughter will be placed, should the pirates overcome us."

"Overcome us!" exclaimed the mate. "I'd sooner blow the ship up with all hands, if it comes to that."

"No, no, my friend; don't attempt so mad and wicked a deed," said the old captain. "In doing that, we should be imitating the rascally buccaneers themselves. We are bound to leave our lives in God's hands, and He'll order things as He sees best. All we have to do is to fight to the last, and to try and save the ship from the pirate's hands."

"I hope we may succeed, sir," said the mate, his spirits animated by the old captain's remarks. "I, for one, will do nothing desperate, and I'll tell the gunner and boatswain what you say."

The pirate continued creeping up on her expected prey, firing her guns as they could be brought to bear; while the crew of the _Research_, firm to their promise, returned shot for shot, some aiming at their antagonist's rigging, others at the hull--though two more of their number were killed, and three or four wounded. The latter, however, having stanched the blood flowing from their limbs, returned to their guns, and continued fighting them with all the energy of despair.

They could not fail to see that they were suffering more than their opponent. The pirate ship was already on the starboard quarter of the _Research_, and in a short time would be on her beam, and thus prevent her from rounding the southern end of the reef, which it was calculated she had already reached.

The gloom of night had settled down on the world of waters, but it was lighted up by the rapid flashes of the guns.

"If we could but knock away her foremast, we should still have time to luff round ahead of her," cried Captain Tracy. "Aim at that, my lads; if you do it, you will save the ship."

Twice the starboard broadside was fired, but the pirate's masts and spars still appeared to be uninjured.

The crew of the _Research_ were about again to fire her guns, when the pirate, putting up her helm, ran her alongside.

"Boarders, be prepared to repel boarders!" shouted Captain O'Brien, sticking a brace of pistols in his belt, and seizing a cutlass and pike. "We must drive them back, my lads, if they attempt to get on our deck."

The mate and other officers followed his example, and the crew armed themselves with the weapons to which they were most accustomed. The next instant the pirates were seen swarming in their own rigging, led by one of their officers--a bearded, dark man, who was encouraging them by his shouts and gestures. The first mate sprang forward to encounter him, and the next moment was brought to the deck by a blow from his cutlass. In vain the two old captains endeavoured to prevent the ruffians from setting foot on the deck of the _Research_; on they came, far outnumbering her crew.

The pirate captain had cut down the gunner and boatswain, and the rest of the diminished crew found themselves opposed to four times their own number. They well knew beforehand that it would be useless to ask for quarter, and to the few who cried out for it, none was given. The remainder, though fighting desperately, were quickly overpowered. The two old captains had wonderfully escaped being wounded; standing shoulder to shoulder, they were driven back to the companion-hatch, when the pirate captain made his way close in front of them.

"Yield, old men!" he shouted.

"Not while we have cutlasses in our hands," answered Captain O'Brien, warding off a blow made at his friend, who was wielding his own weapon with all the vigour of youth.

Just then the pirate captain exclaimed, "Yield, Captain Tracy, yield! all further resistance is useless. Your present ship is ours, as is your former craft. If you will drop your weapons, I will save your life and that of your companion. It is mad of you to hold out longer."

"He speaks the truth," said Captain O'Brien. "Tracy, we have lost the day. For the sake of your child, listen to his offers. He can but kill us at last, and we may if we live be able to protect her."

"Say what you like, and I'll agree to it," answered Captain Tracy.

"We will give in if we have your word that we and all the survivors on board will be protected from further injury or insult. We have a lady passenger, and I plead especially on her account. Will you promise that she is in no way injured or molested?" said Captain O'Brien.

"If you will take the word of a man who fights under yonder dark flag, you have it," answered the pirate.

"We yield, then," said Captain O'Brien, dropping his sword.

Captain Tracy did the same, though both felt very uncertain whether the next instant they might not be slaughtered by the savage miscreants, who had now entire possession of the deck of the _Research_.

"Go below, my friend, before the pirates find their way there. Tell Norah what has happened, and urge her to prepare for what may occur," whispered Captain Tracy. "I will try, meantime, to engage the attention of the pirate."

The latter made no remark when he saw the old captain disappearing down the hatchway.

"We have met before, Captain Tracy," he said. "I owe my life to the good services rendered me on board your ship, and I should be loth to have your death on my conscience. I have enough on it already. I know your friend, too; he is one of the few people to whom I have cause to be grateful."

"If you are the man I take you for," said Captain Tracy, intently regarding the pirate, "you owed a heavier debt to the master of the ship which I now find in your possession. You know how I regarded him, and you will relieve my mind if you can tell me where he is to be found."

"You will probably meet in a few days," answered the pirate. "He is well in health, though I considered it necessary to keep him a prisoner. You and Captain O'Brien will now have the opportunity of solacing him in his confinement."

"I thank you for the information," answered Captain Tracy. "We shall be ready to share his lot, whatever that may be."

The pirates, though they had obtained possession of the deck, had hitherto not made their way below; for they were all fully engaged, some in the barbarous work of putting the wounded out of their misery and heaving the dead overboard, and others in clearing the two ships. The wind had suddenly increased, and, as they had a dangerous reef aboard, it was necessary as quickly as possible to get them under command. Captain O'Brien had thus time to make his way into the hold and to break the intelligence of what had occurred to Norah. She, poor girl, had been intently listening to divine by the sounds which reached the hold how affairs were going. She knew too well that the engagement her father was so anxious to avoid was taking place; and the rapid firing of the guns told her that the crew of the _Research_ were gallantly defending themselves. Then came the crashing sound as the pirate ran alongside. The shrieks and cries which arose informed her of the desperate hand-to-hand struggle that was going on. The comparative silence which ensued when the remnant of the British crew were cut down, alarmed her even more than did the occasional shouts of the pirates engaged in clearing the ship which reached her ears. She dreaded the worst, and had sunk down on her knees praying for strength to endure whatever trial might be in store, when, by the faint light of the lantern which hung in the hold, she saw Captain O'Brien standing before her.

"Is my father safe? Oh, tell me!" she exclaimed, grasping his hand.

"Yes; thank Heaven, he has escaped without a wound," he answered. "But affairs have not gone as we should wish," he continued, in as calm a voice as he could command. "The pirates have possession of the _Research_, but their captain, who appears to be an Englishman, has spared our lives and promised that we shall not be molested. I have hopes that he will keep his word, and you must not be cast down. We will not be separated from you, whatever may occur; but it is useless remaining longer in this dark place. We will go back into the cabin, where I will stay with you till your father comes down."

Saying this, Captain O'Brien, taking the lantern, led Norah up from the hold through a passage, by which they reached the state cabin without going on deck.

Norah's agitation made her scarcely able to stand, so Captain O'Brien led her to a sofa and took a seat by her. The next instant Captain Tracy entered. She sprang up, and, throwing her arms round his neck, burst into tears. While he was supporting her a step was heard, and the pirate leader appeared at the doorway. He gazed for a moment at Norah.

"Miss Tracy," he exclaimed, "had I known that the shot fired from my ship were aimed at the one which you were on board of, I would sooner have blown up my own craft or sent her to the bottom. I trust that you will pardon me for the alarm and anxiety I have caused you."

Norah gazed at the speaker with a look of terror as she clung to her father's arm. His countenance had been too deeply impressed upon her memory for her ever to forget it. She recognised in him the once second mate of the _Ouzel Galley_, when he had gone under the name of Carnegan--the man who had attempted to carry her off, and who had afterwards audaciously presented himself, when an officer on board the French privateer under the command of Thurot. Now he was the acknowledged captain of a band of pirates, and she and her father were in his power. He had spared the lives of the two old captains, but of what outrage might he not be guilty when he found that the love he professed was rejected? She endeavoured to recover herself sufficiently to answer him, but her efforts were for some time vain. Her limbs trembled under her; her voice refused to utter the words she would have spoken. Her father could not fail to observe her agitation.

"Retain your presence of mind, my child," he whispered, "but don't offend our captor."

By a strong effort, while the pirate stood gazing at her, she recovered herself.

"I claim nothing beyond the mercy any helpless woman might ask for on board a captured vessel," she answered at length; "and if you would save me from further suffering, I would pray that you would put my father and me, with our friend, on shore at the nearest spot at which you can land us. The vessel and cargo are yours, by right of conquest, but you can gain nothing by keeping us prisoners."

"You are mistaken, Miss Tracy," said the pirate; "I can gain everything which for long years it has been my fond desire to obtain. You recognise me, I am sure, and you cannot have forgotten the deep--the devoted love I have expressed for you. Promise me that you will no longer despise it, and your father and his friend shall not only be protected, but treated with every respect and attention they can require."

This address increased rather than allayed Norah's alarm.

"Oh, what shall I say to him?" she whispered to her father. "For your sake and Captain O'Brien's, I would not, if I can help it, arouse his anger."

Norah was, however, saved from the difficult task of answering the pirate by the appearance of one of his officers, who came to summon him on deck, that he might give his orders for the management of the two vessels. He hurried away, and left the trio to consult as to the best mode of treating him. He was for some time absent, the shouting of the officers and the tramping of the men's feet overhead showing that various operations were going forward on deck.

"You spoke well and bravely, Norah," exclaimed Captain O'Brien, after her father had placed her on the sofa, that she might the better attempt to recover from the fearful agitation she was suffering; "keep to that tone. Don't tell him how you fear and dislike him, but don't let him suppose that you are ready to consent to any proposals he may make. Humour him as much as you can, and above all things don't allude to Owen, or let him discover that he has a rival in the affection he asks you to bestow on him."

"Oh no, indeed I will not," said Norah; "and for my father's sake and yours, I will do all I can to soften his temper and make him treat you well."

"I wish you to do as Captain O'Brien suggests, for your own sake rather than for ours," observed her father. "We may defy him, as he can only murder us; but we wish to live that we may protect you. At present he appears to be in a tolerably good humour, and well he may, after capturing our good ship and her valuable cargo. He would rather have found her laden with ingots and chests of dollars; but she's a richer prize to him than the _Ouzel Galley_ could have been, laden with hogsheads of sugar."

"The _Ouzel Galley_!" exclaimed Norah. "Has she fallen into that man's hands? Oh, father! has he, then, got Owen in his power?"

"He's not likely to have taken Owen's ship without capturing Owen too; but we know that he could not have put him to death, or Owen couldn't have sent us the message we received," answered her father.

"Perhaps our capture may, after all, be the means of our discovering Owen," observed Captain O'Brien. "You will not regret it then so much, Norah; and if we can regain our liberty, we may, by some means or other, carry him off also. It's an ill wind that blows no one good, depend on that."

Terribly alarmed as Norah felt, the idea suggested by Captain O'Brien somewhat cheered her.

The two captains sat, with Norah between them, endeavouring to prevent her spirits from sinking. Silence, by all means, was to be avoided, Captain O'Brien taking upon himself to be the chief spokesman. He did his best not to allude to the battle, or the slaughter of their brave crew. Little did Norah think that of all those she had seen that morning on deck, full of life and activity, not one was then in existence. She herself felt no inclination to speak of the fight, and she asked no questions about it. It was sufficient for her to know that the _Research_ had been captured, and that the great object of the voyage--the recovery of Owen and Gerald--had come to nought. Weary and sad, she could not even venture to seek for the consolation of sleep. The lamp, which had been lighted at sundown, still hung from the beam above their heads, shedding a subdued light over the cabin. Some time thus passed. Occasionally the two old captains exchanged a few words in low tones, but they could not say all they thought, for they were unwilling to alarm Norah more than was necessary. They must act according to the pirate's conduct. As he had spared their lives, he might behave generously towards them and Norah, but of this they had but slight hopes.

It flashed across Captain O'Brien's mind that he was one of the O'Harralls, whom he had saved, when a boy, from drowning, while serving on board a ship he had commanded, he having jumped overboard in a heavy sea, and supported the lad till a boat came to their assistance. He had afterwards had cause to regret having done so, when O'Harrall became notorious for his evil deeds. "It would have been better to let him drown, than allow him to gather the sins on his head for which he has to answer," thought the old captain. "But no, I did what was right; for the rest he alone is answerable. If he's the man I suspect, he may have been prompted by the recollection of the services I rendered him to spare my life, and it may induce him still to act decently towards us."

Though these thoughts passed through Captain O'Brien's mind, he did not express them aloud, or tell his friend that he believed the pirate to be any other than the outlawed ruffian, O'Harrall.

Captain Tracy was addressing a remark to him, when the cabin door opened, and the man he had been thinking about stood before them. As he examined the pirate's features, he was sure that he had not been mistaken, but he thought it prudent to keep the idea to himself.

The pirate stood for a moment gazing at Norah.

"I have come to summon you on board my vessel," he said. "Your old craft has been too much knocked about, I find, to proceed before her damages are repaired. This can be done under the lee of the island, where we will leave her while we return into port. I wish you to prepare at once to accompany me. Anything you desire to take with you shall be brought on board, but I cannot allow you much time for your preparations, Miss Tracy. Your father or Captain O'Brien will assist you in packing your trunk."

Captain Tracy, knowing that it would be useless to remonstrate, replied that they should be speedily ready; and the pirate left the cabin.

Norah, endeavouring to calm her agitation, immediately set to work to pack up the things she knew that she should most require, while her father and Captain O'Brien tumbled theirs into a couple of valises; so that in a few minutes, when the pirate again entered the cabin, they were prepared to obey his orders. He was accompanied by a couple of men who, taking up their luggage, followed them on deck, to which he led the way. The darkness fortunately prevented Norah from seeing the marks of blood which stained the planks; she could only distinguish a number of dark forms moving about, engaged in repairing the damages the ship had received. She lay hove to, with the other vessel a short distance from her. A boat was alongside, into which the pirate desired the two old captains and Norah to descend, he offering his hand to assist her. She thanked him in as courteous a tone as she could command, and, the boat shoving off, the crew pulled away for the _Ouzel Galley_.

"You are not a stranger to this ship, Miss Tracy," observed the pirate, as he handed Norah on deck. "I regret that I was compelled to capture her, and to deprive her former master, my worthy friend Owen Massey, of his command." He spoke in a somewhat sarcastic tone, which Norah observed, but she wisely made no reply. "You will be safer in the cabin, where you will find yourselves at home," he continued; "my brave fellows are somewhat lawless, and it is as well to keep out of their sight." The pirate, as he spoke, led the way into the cabin. As they entered it, he requested that she would consider herself its mistress. "My black steward will attend to your wants, and will bring you whatever you may order. I have now to see to the navigation of the ship, so that I cannot for the present enjoy your society," he said.

Having led Norah to a sofa and desired his other guests, as he choose to call them, to be seated, he hurried from the cabin.

The light from a handsome silver lamp hung in the usual position showed them that no change had been made in its arrangements since the _Ouzel Galley_ had sailed from Waterford.

"We might have been worse off, faith! but it's somewhat trying to find one's self on board one's own ship in the character of a prisoner," observed Captain Tracy. "However, our captor appears inclined to behave with as much courtesy as can be expected, and as I hope we shall not again be interrupted, I wish, Norah, you would try to obtain some sleep. O'Brien and I will watch by you, and you will be the better able to endure what you may have to go through."

"I cannot sleep; I don't wish to sleep," murmured poor Norah. "I should only dream of the dreadful events which have occurred."

After some persuasion, however, she consented to try and obtain the rest she so much needed, and in spite of her assertions, her father saw that she had dropped off into a calm slumber. He and Captain O'Brien could now speak more freely than they had hitherto done. Their firm resolution was not, on any account, to be parted from her. They had each retained their pistols, which they had concealed in their pockets, and Captain O'Brien vowed that, should any violence be threatened, he would shoot O'Harrall, and trust to win over the piratical crew by promising them the most ample rewards.

"If we kill their chief, the fellows will be awed, and we shall have time to throw the bait in their mouths; for the chances are that many of them will be glad enough to escape from the perilous course they are now compelled to follow, and if we can gain over some, the rest will not long hold out," he observed.

Captain Tracy thought his friend's plan too desperate, but he was at length won over to consent to it should O'Harrall's behaviour render some such proceeding necessary.

By a compass fixed in the forepart of the cabin, they saw that the vessel was standing to the westward, and that the wind must have shifted, as she appeared to be directly before it. After running on this course for some distance, they found that she was then hauled up to the northward. From this she appeared to deviate but slightly, sometimes a point or two to the eastward, and sometimes to the westward. They thus surmised that she was threading her way between reefs with which the pirates must have been well acquainted. Daylight at length streamed through the cabin windows, and as the sun rose above the horizon, they saw his rays glancing across the tiny wavelets which rippled the surface of the water, showing that a moderate breeze was blowing, and that the ship was under the lee of an island, which impeded the progress of the undulations rolling in from the wide ocean.

"Wherever we are going, it would be a hard matter, I suspect, without an experienced pilot, to get out again," observed Captain O'Brien.

"We must trust to protection from above, and we may hope to find the means of escape," answered Captain Tracy.

In spite of their intentions to keep awake, the two old captains could not avoid dozing off, till they were aroused by the entrance of a black, who announced himself as the steward.

"Me Jumbo--come to lay breakfast, and cappen say you hab what you like ask for, especially someting nice for de young lady."

"We shall be thankful for anything you are able to bring us, Jumbo," said Captain O'Brien. "We do not wish to give you more trouble than necessary."

"Dat berry good," answered the black, nodding as he went out of the cabin.

Before long he returned with an ample repast, consisting of several West Indian dishes and some others, the materials of which had probably been brought from the _Research_. The prisoners in reality cared but little for the food, but it was satisfactory to believe that the pirate intended to treat them with courtesy. Norah, who had taken nothing for many hours, was persuaded to eat some breakfast.

"You will feel all the better for it, my dear," said Captain O'Brien. "I never saw any use in starving one's self, even though one might be in the midst of an ocean of troubles. Matters always look worse when people are hungry, and perhaps now that we have had some food, we shall be able to see things in a brighter light. I have been thinking a good deal about Owen Massey, and should not be at all surprised that we, after all, accomplish the object of our voyage and find him. We shall have paid a high price, to be sure, by the loss of our good ship, but even that you will, at all events, not think too much if we get him back safe."

Norah smiled faintly. She almost dreaded the effect her presence might produce on the treatment of Owen, should he be in the pirate's power. The terrible thought had even occurred to her mind that the pirate might offer her the dreadful alternative of becoming his wife or seeing Owen murdered before her eyes. The idea, however, was too horrible to allow her to give it utterance.

Captain O'Brien endeavoured to amuse Norah by talking on in his usual way. He succeeded but ill in his attempts. Impossible was the task to draw her thoughts from present circumstances. "I wonder if we are to be kept prisoners below all day, or whether our piratical captor will take it into his head to invite us on deck?" he continued. "I should have no objection to smoke my pipe and enjoy a little fresh air. When Jumbo next appears, I'll send our compliments and request the favour."

The old captain carried out his intentions, and Jumbo returned with a message from the pirate captain, to the effect that they were welcome to come on deck if they chose.

Norah would have far rather remained in the cabin, but, as she dreaded being left alone, she agreed to accompany her father and Captain O'Brien. The pirate bowed as she appeared, and placed a seat for her on the poop, inquiring simply whether she had been supplied with everything she required. She briefly thanked him, and turned aside her head to avoid the gaze of the ruffianly crew, as they moved towards the after-part of the deck in the prosecution of their various duties. O'Harrall merely nodded to the two old captains, who stood by her side. The wind was baffling, and he was continually engaged in trimming sails, so that he was prevented for some time from again addressing her.

The _Ouzel Galley_ had now got into a more open part of the sea, though neither of the old captains could tell exactly where they were. Again the wind became steady, and O'Harrall was coming up, apparently to speak to Norah, when the look-out from the mast-head shouted, "A sail on the starboard quarter!"

One of the chief officers was immediately sent aloft. On coming down, he reported the stranger to be a large ship running free.

"Does she look like a merchantman?" inquired O'Harrall.

"Much more like a man-of-war, judging by the cut of her canvas," was the answer, in a low voice.

"Perhaps she will take no notice of us," remarked O'Harrall. "It will be time enough if she gives chase to make sail; but it would only be drawing her attention towards us, if we were to do so now."

Captain Tracy overheard these remarks, but endeavoured to look as unconcerned as possible, though, as may be supposed, he earnestly hoped that the officer's surmise was correct, and that the stranger would endeavour to overhaul them.

The pirate continued to walk the deck, every now and then turning his glass in the direction the stranger had been seen, while the officer again went aloft. Presently he hurriedly came down and spoke a few words to the pirate captain, who instantly issued orders to the crew to make all sail.

Royals were set, and even lighter sails above them. The studding-sails were rigged out, and various strange-shaped sails were set between the masts and above and below the bowsprit. The studding-sails, however, were quickly taken in again, as the wind was too much abeam to enable them to be carried.

Captain Tracy managed, whenever the pirate's glance was turned the other way, to take a look over the quarter, and soon had the satisfaction of seeing the lofty sails of a large ship appearing above the horizon. It was pretty evident that the stranger was suspicious of the character of the _Ouzel Galley_, and was coming in chase of her.

O'Harrall and his crew seemed to be of the same opinion. They turned many an angry glance towards the old captains and Norah, as if they considered them the cause of the risk they were running of being captured. Though the _Ouzel Galley_ was a fast vessel, the stranger was evidently much faster.

"What do you think she is, O'Brien?" asked Captain Tracy.

"A frigate or a large sloop of war; and though it is a difficult matter to judge of her nationality, she looks more like an English ship than a foreigner," he answered.

"Grant Heaven it may be so, and that the pirates may see the uselessness of fighting, should she come up with us," said Captain Tracy.

"They are not likely to give in without a desperate struggle, when they know that halters are in store for most of them if they are captured," replied Captain O'Brien.

O'Harrall was pacing the deck with hurried strides. He could only depend on the speed of his ship for escaping, and he well knew that no British man-of-war would engage him without doing her utmost to make him her prize. Suddenly he walked up to his prisoners, his countenance exhibiting a more ferocious aspect than they had hitherto seen it wear.

"You must go below," he said in a harsh tone; "your presence has brought us ill luck. At all events, my people think so, and I don't know how they may behave, should they see you on deck when yonder ship gets up to us."

"We will of course obey you," said Captain Tracy, taking Norah's hand; and, followed by Captain O'Brien, they descended to the cabin.

The latter would gladly have remained to watch the progress of the stranger, which he was more than ever convinced was a man-of-war. Some hours must, however pass, before she could get the _Ouzel Galley_ within range of her guns. Should darkness come on, the latter would still have a chance of escaping without fighting. The eagerness of the pirate to avoid a contest showed clearly enough that they were only ready to fight when they had the hope of booty before them.

Jumbo appeared as the prisoners returned to the cabin, and placed a repast on the table. It was in every respect equal to the breaks fast. Even the old captains, however, could not do justice to it, as they were too anxious about their prospect of a speedy deliverance from captivity. They knew very well, also, that considerable danger must be run should the pirate engage the man-of-war. Shot might enter the cabin, or the ship might catch fire, or blow up, or be sent to the bottom; or the pirates, when they had lost all hope of escaping, might, in their rage, revengefully put them to death.

Jumbo had removed the dinner things, and Captain O'Brien managed to project his head far enough from the stern windows to get a sight of the stranger.

"She may overtake us before dark, but I very much doubt it," he observed. "If she does not, these fellows will manage to make their escape by running in among reefs and islands, with which they, depend on it, are well acquainted, and where the man-of-war will not venture to follow them."

As the time went by there appeared every probability that Captain O'Brien's surmise would prove correct. A ruddy glow cast across the ocean showed that the sun was sinking low, and presently the glow faded away and a grey tint alone remained. By this time the hull of the stranger appeared above the water, and Captain O'Brien declared that he was more than ever convinced she was a British frigate. The compass in the cabin showed, however, that the _Ouzel Galley_ was following a devious course--now hauling up round a reef, now running for a short distance before the wind.

A shot came flying over the water from the frigate. Several others followed, but they all fell short. She was then seen to keep away before the wind to the south-west.

"She has given up the chase," exclaimed Captain O'Brien, "and our chance of liberty for the present is gone. I was afraid it would be so, but it cannot be helped."

Norah, perhaps, felt the disappointment less keenly than her companions. The thought that she was about to meet Owen was uppermost in her mind. She fancied that, once having found him, they should be able to devise a plan for their escape. Shortly after this, O'Harrall came into the cabin. "You expected the tables to be turned, and that the _Ouzel Galley_ would be captured by yonder man-of-war," he observed, as he stood with his arms folded, leaning carelessly against the bulkhead. "It is as well for you, however, that we had not to engage her, for my fellows are not men who would consent to be taken alive. Had we not escaped from her, they would to a certainty have blown up the ship, when all hope had abandoned them."

"Then, sir, we may congratulate you and ourselves on having avoided a fight," said Captain O'Brien. "We may wish you a better fate, and it is certainly one we are thankful to have escaped."

"I hope to enjoy greater happiness for many years to come than has hitherto been my lot," said the pirate, gazing at Norah, who cast down her eyes to avoid his glance. "Circumstances have made me what I am, but I intend to abandon my present course, and to engage in some service where I may gain an honourable name and retrieve the years which have passed. I already possess sufficient wealth to satisfy my utmost desires. My only wish is to share it with one whose affections I may hope to gain."

The pirate continued for some time speaking in this strain. Norah did her utmost to pretend that she did not understand him, while Captain O'Brien stood fuming with rage at what he mentally called the audacious impudence of the villain. Poor Captain Tracy's heart sank, and though not less indignant than his friend, he endeavoured to conceal his feelings. Happily O'Harrall was again summoned on deck. No sooner was he gone than Norah gave way to hysterical sobs.

"Oh, father! father! kill me sooner than let him take me from you," she exclaimed. "I know too well what he means; but I would pray for death sooner than become his wife."

"If he really wishes to obtain an honourable name he will offer no violence, my child," said Captain Tracy, endeavouring to comfort her. "Heaven will find some way for you to escape."

The cause of the pirate's being summoned on deck was soon apparent. The wind had fallen, and the _Ouzel Galley_ lay becalmed, surrounded by the reefs amid which she had taken shelter. Though the passage occupied her some time, she was still at no great distance from the open channel.

"Why, as I live, there is the frigate, not more than three or four miles off," exclaimed Captain O'Brien, who had been looking through the cabin window. "Depend on it, she has kept us in sight, and when she finds that we are still within reach, and not able to get away, she'll be sending her boats in to take us during the night. I heartily hope that she may, and we shall run much less risk of injury than we should have done had she attacked the _Ouzel Galley_ with her heavy guns. I believe that the pirate's threat of blowing up the ship was all bombast. These fellows, hardened villains as they are, are seldom in a hurry to go out of the world, if they can by any means prolong their miserable existence. Each man fancies that he may have a chance of escaping by turning king's evidence or getting out of prison. I doubt whether even O'Harrall himself would have the nerve to set fire to the magazine, though his capture were certain."

The darkness was now settling down on the water, and at length shrouded the stranger from view.

The pirates had evidently not been idle, and the old captains surmised that they were engaged in tricing up boarding-nettings and making all the usual preparations in case of being attacked during the night by the boats of the frigate, which they must of course have expected.

The sound of a boat lowered into the water reached the cabin, and the next minute she was seen through the stern window pulling in the direction of the frigate, probably to row guard and to give due notice should the man-of-war's boats be heard approaching: Although, during the last two nights, the inmates of the cabin had obtained but a few minutes of sleep at a time, their anxiety prevented them from closing their eyes. Even Norah, though her father urged her to try and obtain some rest, could scarcely bring herself to shut hers for a moment. They listened eagerly, expecting every minute to hear the pirate's boat return, followed by those of the man-of-war.

Several hours passed away, when Captain O'Brien, who had been watching at the stern window, exclaimed, "Here she comes!" and the next moment the boat dashed up alongside.

The ship had not been brought to an anchor, showing that the pirate entertained a hope of avoiding a fight and making his escape, should the breeze spring up before the boats could get alongside. The night was dark, and from the lighted cabin it was impossible to see objects at any distance. Captain O'Brien, however, listened, expecting to hear the boats approach. Presently he rejoined Captain Tracy and Norah.

"Here they come," he whispered. "It would be folly to be shot by our friends, and as the pirates have forgotten to close the dead-lights, the bullets may be making their way into the cabin. We shall do well to lie down under shelter. Here, Norah, your own cabin will afford you the safest place, and your father and I will sit on the deck by your side. Should the attacking party succeed, at I have no doubt they will, we shall then avoid the risk of being shot by friends or foes."

The advice was too sensible not to be followed. Scarcely had they gained the shelter which Captain O'Brien advised, than both the broadsides of the _Ouzel Galley_ were discharged, succeeded by a rapid fire of musketry, and a loud cheer from the crews of the boats.

"They will be alongside in another minute," cried Captain O'Brien.

The fluttering of some curtains hung in front of Norah's cabin showed that a strong breeze was blowing through the stern windows, and it soon became evident that the ship was moving rapidly through the water.

The crew of the pirate cheered, and several of her guns were fired. They were replied to by musketry, but the reports came one after the other, apparently from different directions.

"The villains will escape after all," exclaimed Captain O'Brien, who was on the point of jumping up to take another look through the stern window, when his friend, holding him down, observed--

"A chance bullet may come through the port, or if your head were seen, a marine would be certain to aim at it, believing that he was firing at an enemy."

The _Ouzel Galley_ glided rapidly over the smooth sea, the firing on both sides ceased, and though the boats were probably still continuing the chase, they were eventually left far astern. _

Read next: Chapter 22. The Research Sails Towards The Pirate's Island...

Read previous: Chapter 20. The Ouzel Galley Overtaken By A Hurricane...

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