nacy, and worthy of admiration. The only person
who stuck to him was Captain O'Brien.

"If I were a younger man, faith, I'd be after going out as mate,"
exclaimed the brave old captain. "Whether the lads are alive or dead,
the point will be settled, and I am fain to believe that they are still
alive. If I can't go myself, I'll prove my faith in the undertaking by
subscribing five hundred pounds towards it. The sooner you get the ship
fitted out and put to sea, the better it will be for my friend Norah--of
that I'm very sure."

Though the two old captains were thus of one mind, no one else agreed
with them. The house of Ferris, Twigg, and Cash would have nothing to
do with the matter; they were not inclined to send good money after bad,
and unless they could gain some information, however slight, that the
_Ouzel Galley_ was really in existence, they should consider it folly to
send another vessel to look for her. They would not even help in
searching for a fitting vessel. Captain Tracy, however, heard of one
which had been brought into Cork harbour as a prize, and, accompanied by
his friend O'Brien, he went over to have a look at her. She was just
the vessel they wanted; she was ship-rigged, carried twenty guns, and
was quite new, having been only a few weeks out of port when she was
captured. She was of great beam, and would carry four or six more guns,
if necessary. The purchase was soon completed; and the two captains,
having engaged a few hands to navigate her, brought her round to
Waterford, where she could be fitted out under their own eyes. One of
the points to be settled was her name. Captain O'Brien, bowing to
Norah, proposed that she should be called _Love's Messenger_; but to
this Norah objected, and it was finally settled that she should be
called the _Research_. The captain had devoted Gerald's prize-money,
and the whole sum he had at his own disposal, and the amount contributed
by Captain O'Brien; but still a sum was required for ammunition, stores,
and the wages of the crew. Captain Tracy was in a dilemma; he might
obtain a cargo for the vessel, but then he would have to wait for a
convoy, as no insurance could otherwise be effected on her, and that
would cause a delay. Rather than suffer this, he resolved to sell his
patrimony, though very unwilling to do so. Captain O'Brien, who had
formerly traded to Bristol, had gone over to that port to look out for
efficient officers and any good men