t
in the _Ouzel Galley_ to Jamaica, and that Ellen had made up her mind to
accompany him. "She has asked me to pay her a visit before she goes,"
she added, "and I should much like to do so could I leave my father, but
that I cannot do."

"Nor shall you, my girl, for I will go with you," said the captain, who
had overheard her remark. "We'll go in the _Ouzel Galley_--to my mind
there's less danger at sea than from those land pirates, the
highwaymen--and if you can pack up your traps in time, we'll go aboard
to-morrow morning. What say you, Owen? Will you take us as
passengers?"

Owen expressed his pleasure at the proposal, and Norah had no doubt that
she could pack up in time. Owen put aside all fears of capture by the
enemy; indeed, the Channel was so well guarded by British ships of war
that there was little danger, he thought, on that score. He had too
much confidence in his own seamanship to think of shipwreck. After all
arrangements had been made, he went back to spend the rest of the
evening with his mother, while Norah and the captain, with Biddy's help,
prepared for their departure.

CHAPTER NINE.

THE OUZEL GALLEY SAILS FOR DUBLIN--A STRANGE SAIL TO THE SOUTHWARD--
FOLLOWS THE OUZEL GALLEY--THE CHAMPION SENDS MR. FOLEY AND GERALD TO
PRESS SOME OF HER MEN--NORAH IN DUBLIN--MR. FOLEY AND GERALD IN COMMAND
OF A PRESSGANG--AN ADVENTURE ON THE LIBERTIES--A SUSPICIOUS CHARACTER
CAPTURED--PRESSED MEN CARRIED OFF--ELLEN AND MR. FERRIS SAIL IN THE
OUZEL GALLEY--CAPTAIN TRACY AND NORAH RETURN TO WATERFORD--THE OUZEL
GALLEY WITH THE CONVOY BOUND FOR THE WEST INDIES--SHARP ACTION WITH
FRENCH FRIGATES--THE ENEMY BEATEN OFF.

Norah and Captain Tracy were on board the _Ouzel Galley_ before noon the
next day, accompanied by Owen. They had gone round to bid Mrs Massey
good-bye; it cost her much to part again so soon with her son, but she
was proud of seeing him captain of so fine a ship, and had learnt to
bear many trials with fortitude.

As the breeze blew up the harbour, the _Ouzel Galley_ had to beat out,
which, with a favourable tide, she succeeded in doing in a few tacks,
after which she had a fair wind for Dublin. Dan, coming aft, hat in
hand, welcomed Miss Norah, and wished she was going to sail with them
the next voyage--Pompey, who presumed on long service with Captain
Massey, imitating his example, and making an appropriate speech. Norah
thanked them, and, it is just possible, secretly wished that