; still, a
trusty man was stationed over them, as there was no doubt that they
would make the attempt could they gain the opportunity, and if one could
cast off his lashings he might speedily set the others at liberty.

The sea was smooth; the sun shone brightly; and the _Ouzel Galley_ made
good way towards Waterford. She was, however, upwards of a hundred
miles from that port, and might before reaching it fall in with another
French ship. She was, indeed, now in a part of the ocean in which
privateers were likely to be cruising, on the look-out for
homeward-bound vessels. It was necessary, therefore, to avoid any
strange sail till her character could be positively ascertained. A hand
was accordingly stationed aloft to give timely notice should a sail
appear in sight. This, of course, weakened the crew, who were already
insufficient to work the ship; the wounded men, though they had aided in
overpowering the Frenchmen, were but little capable of performing
continuous work. Owen felt his wound very painful, yet he persisted in
attending to his duty, and could scarcely be persuaded to lie down on
the sofa for a short time to rest, while the captain took his watch on
deck. Gerald was highly applauded by his father and Owen for his
courage and judgment, which had so much contributed to the recapture of
the vessel; even the French lieutenant expressed his admiration of the
way he had behaved.

"If young English boys are so brave and cool, no wonder that we should
have been overpowered," he observed. "I only wish that we had had a
French boy on board, and it is not impossible that he might have
discovered your plot and counteracted it. The next time I have charge
of a prize, I will place a French boy to watch the English boys, and
then we shall see which is the sharpest."

"I don't know which may prove the sharpest, but I am ready to fight any
two French boys of my own age I have ever met in my life," answered
Gerald, laughing; "first one come on, and then the other, or both
together, provided they'll keep in front, or let me have a wall at my
back, when they're welcome to do their worst."

"Ah, you are too boastful," said the lieutenant.

"Pardon me, monsieur, not at all. I am only sticking up for the honour
of Old Ireland," answered Gerald.

The _Ouzel Galley_ was drawing nearer to her port, and the chances of
recapture diminished; still there was another night's run, and no one
liked to boast till they wer