t I can explain what the man means," said Mr Foley,
drawing the first lieutenant aside, when he informed him of the
discovery that he and Gerald had made in the cabin, and his belief that
the pirates had either put Captain Tracy and his daughter to death, or
carried them off on board their own ship.

This of course made Mr Tarwig much more ready to listen to Dillon's
proposals; still, without Commander Olding's sanction, he could not
promise the man his life. He determined, therefore, to send the gig
under charge of the master, who would give an account to the commander
of what had occurred, and receive his orders. It was necessary to keep
the greater part of the _Champion's_ people on board to repair the
damages the ship had received, and to watch over the prisoners.

"I will not be long absent, depend upon that," said Mr Billhook, as he
jumped into the boat and pulled away for the shore.

It was a trying time for poor Gerald. He longed to ascertain from the
pirate how his sister and father had been treated; but Dillon and his
companions kept their mouths closed, and would not reply to a single
question put to them. The men not engaged in watching the pirates were
fully employed in more effectually stopping the shot-holes than had
before been done, and in knotting and splicing the rigging; thus Gerald
had but little time to talk on the the subject which engrossed his
thoughts. He just got a few words with Mr Foley, who somewhat relieved
his mind by expressing his belief that Norah and his father had been
made prisoners and carried on board the pirate. "I think there is
another reason for believing that they were not put to death; I suspect
that had they been, Dillon would not have offered to give us any
information, as he would have known that he could expect no mercy at our
hands."

"I wish that the commander would come off," said Gerald. "I have been
thinking, sir, that if he would agree to man this ship and go in search
of the pirates at once, before returning to Jamaica, we might capture
them. They will not know that we have retaken her, and we might thus
approach them without being suspected. If you will press the matter on
the commander, I hope that he will agree to the plan."

"I feel nearly sure that he will do so," answered Mr Foley. "The idea
is a good one; he will probably think of it himself; if not, I will lead
him to it. If the plan occurs to him, so much the better, as of course
he will b