been made for her along the
coast, and that not the slightest trace of her could be discovered. He
therefore hoped that the next packet would bring the account of her safe
arrival at Waterford, and that he might before long meet Owen again at
Kingston.

The _Champion_, after rounding Port Morant, stood to the northward
towards Saint Jago de Cuba, and chased several vessels, which got away
from her, not perhaps very much to Lieutenant Foley's disappointment.
He even ventured, when dining with the commander, to speak of the
importance of visiting the northern coast of Jamaica, in case the slaves
should really, as was supposed possible, be contemplating an
insurrection. The commander, who did not imagine that such a thing was
likely, was, however, bent on looking out for enemies of a size which he
might hope to capture. He was heartily joined by Lieutenant Tarwig,
who, if he did not care much for honour and glory, was at all events
anxious to obtain a good lump of prize-money, with which he might set up
housekeeping with Mrs Tarwig, whenever he had persuaded some lovely
damsel to share his fortunes. The master and the other officers were
very much of his way of thinking.

"A sail on the weather-beam, sir," said Gerald, entering the cabin where
the commander, the second lieutenant, the purser, and two midshipmen
were his guests at dinner.

"Empty your glasses, gentlemen," said the commander hurriedly, rising
and running up the companion-ladder on deck. "What is she like?" he
shouted to the look-out on the mast-head.

"A ship, sir, going free, and standing to the eastward," was the answer.

"Make all sail, Mr Tarwig; we shall be up to her before dark, and
ascertain what she is. Haul up a couple of points--she can't escape
between us and the land."

The breeze was fresh, and the stranger continued on her former course,
either not having discovered the corvette or not being desirous of
avoiding her. Beyond her was seen the coast of Cuba rising into
mountainous elevations, the more distant scarcely to be distinguished
from the blue sky.

The corvette having been lately out of dock, and being in good trim,
sailed her best. To deceive the enemy, the commander had had some
canvas painted black and hung over her sides, triced up a couple of feet
or so above the hammock nettings, to give her the appearance of a
merchantman, but an observant eye might have detected her by the perfect
trim of her sails. This, however