ain meet, however much changed you may be, I shall know
you by that," said O'Harrall. "Now, farewell--may a happier fate be
yours than will probably be my lot!"

"Stay a moment, and I will ascertain that no one is near," said Owen, as
O'Harrall was about to descend the ladder. He hid the lantern, and went
out into the open part of the garden and round to the front of the
house. Clouds obscured the stars; not a sound was to be heard, except
the voice of some bird of night, which came from a distance. By some it
might have been thought of ill omen, but Owen was above the
superstitions of the ignorant. He returned to the outhouse, and in a
low voice called to O'Harrall, who immediately descended the ladder.

"I feel sure that no one is on the watch," said Owen, "and it may be
most prudent for you to get away at once."

"You are right," answered O'Harrall. "Again farewell, Massey; though we
may never more see each other, I shall always remember that I have met
with one honest and generous man."

He did not, however, put out his hand, perhaps supposing that Massey
would consider himself contaminated by touching it.

"Go into your house," he continued, "and let me follow my own course,
that you may not even know what direction I have taken."

Owen did as he was advised, leaving O'Harrall standing beneath the
shelter of the buildings. Closing the door he returned to his room,
when on looking out of his window, he found that O'Harrall had
disappeared. His mind felt greatly relieved at the thought that he was
no longer harbouring a fugitive from justice. On going into the garden
the next morning, he could perceive no traces by which it might
perchance be discovered that O'Harrall had been there, and he determined
that the occurrence should be known only to his mother and himself. He
considered that it would be wrong to conceal it from her, and, sitting
down, he told her what he had done. She did not speak for a minute or
more.

"You acted rightly, my son," she said at length. "The O'Harralls have
been our bitter enemies, but our holy religion teaches us that we should
not only forgive our foes, but do good to those who most cruelly
ill-treat and abuse us; whatever man may say, God will approve of your
act, for he knows the motive which prompted you."

CHAPTER EIGHT.

ARRIVAL OF THE CHAMPION--MR. FERRIS GOES ON BOARD--BRINGS BACK
LIEUTENANT FOLEY WOUNDED--GERALD JOINS THE CHAMPION AS MIDSHIPMAN--AN
ACCO