ad not
been stinted in their liquor.

"Now, bhoys," cried one of the men, standing up and pulling off his hat,
"three cheers for the Jerseyman, and may good luck go with her on her
cruise--hip! hip! hurrah!" and their voices sounded far and wide across
the waters of the harbour. The boats were soon lost to sight in the
darkness. Mr Ferris and Ellen, with Captain O'Brien, having stood
watching them to the last, Lieutenant Vinoy drew near and expressed a
hope that Mr Ferris would not accuse him of breaking his parole. "For
had I done so, I should not have been worthy of addressing you," he
remarked.

"Certainly not, my friend," said Mr Ferris; "we brought you on board,
and your captain tells me that he has detained you."

"Ah, that is indeed a satisfaction," exclaimed the lieutenant. "I may
now give a message from the captain, who begs that you will take
possession of his cabin, which is entirely at your service; you must
consider it yours till the return of the boats with our men. They will
soon, I hope, for your sakes, make their appearance."

Mr Ferris felt satisfied at having sacrificed himself for the benefit
of his friends. Not that he experienced the slightest apprehension of
having to suffer any inconvenience. Ellen declared that she liked the
fun, and only hoped that Norah would not be anxious about her. Still
the time went by; the grey dawn was breaking, and no boats had appeared.
Captain O'Brien, who was much more fidgety than his friend, frequently
went on deck to take a look-out. Ellen, who was reclining on a sofa,
had fallen asleep, while her father sat by her side. A stream of bright
light coming through the cabin windows awoke her. Just then Captain
O'Brien came down.

"By my faith, I believe our friend is going to carry us off to sea!" he
exclaimed; "I suspected there was something in the wind, and, going
aloft, I discovered a large ship in the offing; so did the Frenchmen,
and they immediately commenced hauling on their spring and letting fall
the canvas ready to make sail in a moment. They don't like going
without their men and the promised provisions; but they will have to do
it if the boats don't return quickly, for I'm much mistaken if the
vessel I saw isn't the _Champion_, which we have so long been looking
for."

Ellen, who had hitherto been asleep, started as she heard Captain
O'Brien speak. "The _Champion_, do you say?" she asked.

"I think it more than probable that she is,