pe was gone, for
they now quietly submitted to their fate, and when they reached the quay
stepped, as ordered, into the boats.

The man whom Gerald supposed to be O'Harrall was put into his boat. "We
have met before," said Gerald, after they had pulled some little way
down the river; "I wonder you don't know me."

"It must have been a long time ago, then, sir, for I haven't the
slightest recollection of ever having set eyes on you," answered the
man.

"What, were you never on board the _Ouzel Galley_?" asked Gerald.

"Never heard of her till a couple of days ago, when I saw her alongside
the quay," was the reply.

"What, don't you know the name of Carnegan?" said Gerald.

"I may know it--but it isn't my name," answered the man.

"Then perhaps it is O'Harrall," said Gerald.

The man started. "How did you come to know that name?" he asked; adding
quickly, "But that isn't my name either. If you want to know it,
Michael Dillon is my name; and since I am to have the ill luck to be
compelled to serve his Majesty afloat, I intend to show that it's one no
man need be ashamed of."

"It is very extraordinary," thought Gerald. "This man's answers are so
straightforward that I suppose I must have been mistaken." He did not
further question the prisoner. The boats at length reached the ship,
and the captives were sent below under a guard. Mr Foley, at Gerald's
suggestion, gave orders that Dillon especially should be strictly
watched, as should any of them leap overboard, they were sure to have
friends waiting in readiness to pick them up.

This was only one of several expeditions made by the pressgang on shore,
though none were so successful. On each occasion they were hooted by
the mob; and not without reason, when husbands were torn from their
wives, fathers from their children--several of those taken being either
'long-shore men or not even sailors--but men were wanted, and Captain
Olding had been directed to get as many as he could pick up, to supply
the other ships expected shortly to form the convoy of the fleet of
merchantmen. Two frigates arrived a few days after this, and orders
were issued to the merchant vessels to rendezvous in the bay. Every
effort was made to get them ready, as those not prepared would probably
have to wait for many months before another convoy would sail.

Ellen, as might have been expected, had gained her object, and her
father had consented to her accompanying him on board the