e the more ready to carry it out."

"Thank you, sir, thank you," answered Gerald, his sanguine temperament
making all difficulties vanish. He could not indeed bring himself to
believe it possible that any beings in the form of men could have had
the cruelty to injure his dear young sister and revered father; but
then, if Owen had been killed, how sad would be Norah's lot! It would
break her heart; of that he was sure.

"Gig coming off, sir," cried the look-out to Mr Tarwig.

In a short time the commander stepped on board. The first lieutenant
reported all that had occurred. Commander Olding at once sent for
Dillon. Gerald stood by, almost trembling with anxiety as to what
course would be taken. The pirate boldly confronted his late commander,
and repeated the offer he had already made.

"How can I trust you?" asked Commander Olding.

"You can put a pistol to my head and shoot me, sir, if I do not fulfil
my promise," he answered, calmly.

"If you can enable us to recover the master of this ship, and his
daughter, and any other of the people who were on board her, I will
promise to set you at liberty; but, if you are retaken, you must stand
the consequences," said Commander Olding.

"That is the very proposal I was going to make, sir," answered Dillon.
"I will undertake to carry this ship alongside the _Ouzel Galley_, which
was captured by buccaneers, and is now used by them to go pirating. Her
former master and several of his people are alive, for I saw them
lately, and if you manage as I will advise you, you will recover them
likewise. I confess, sir, that I wish to save my life, and I desire
also to make what amends I can for the harm I have done. Will you
believe me?"

"I believe you to be a great villain, but I trust you to perform your
promise, because it will be to your interest to do so," answered the
commander. "Should you prove treacherous, you may depend upon being
instantly shot."

"I have not the slightest doubt about that, sir," said Dillon, with an
attempt at a laugh. "The sooner you can get this ship ready for sea the
better. I was left here to do so, not supposing that you had any boats
on shore to come off to us; and from the number of shot-holes in her
hull, it was feared that, unless we could get them securely stopped,
should a strong breeze get up she would go to the bottom."

Gerald felt greatly relieved when he heard the commander undertake to
carry out Dillon's proposal.