hip. What the intention of
the pirate was with regard to them, it was impossible to say. Dillon
could throw no light on the subject. Mr Foley expressed his hope that
the pirate intended to treat them mercifully, and perhaps, he thought,
would land them at some place whence they could find their way to
Jamaica, or to put them on board any vessel they might fall in with
bound to that island.

This idea of Mr Foley's greatly relieved Gerald's mind, and he again
began to hope that he should have the happiness of once more seeing
them. The commander gave him permission to visit Dillon, so that he
might try to ascertain the fate of Owen Massey.

"Though you were among those who dragged me on board the king's ship, I
bear you no ill-will," answered Dillon. "I will therefore tell you that
I saw Owen Massey, alive and well, not ten days ago. He was then on
good terms with the pirate captain, but I cannot answer for what may
happen when the young lady appears on the scene. She may perchance
prove to be an `apple of discord.' The captain has an eye for beauty,
and from what I have heard, Owen Massey is engaged to marry your fair
sister."

"How do you know that?" asked Gerald, surprised at the man's remark.

"We hear all sorts of things, and such an idea was current among our
fellows," answered Dillon in a careless tone, which somewhat excited
Gerald's anger.

"You have given your promise to try and rescue Owen Massey and any of
his companions, as well as my father and sister, and their friend
Captain O'Brien," he observed.

"I have promised to do my best to help them, and I intend to keep to
that promise," answered Dillon.

Villain as he knew the pirate to be, Gerald was now satisfied that the
lives of his father and Norah had been preserved.

Soon after dawn the next morning a light breeze sprang up, which enabled
the _Research_ to get under way. As soon as she was clear of the reefs,
Dillon was brought on deck, and desired to inform the master what course
to steer in order to reach the pirate's stronghold. Look-outs were
stationed aloft and at each fore-yardarm, that any dangers ahead might
be seen and avoided, the commander not trusting alone to Dillon's
pilotage.

"With this light wind it will take us three days at least to reach
`Tiger Key;' that is the name the buccaneers have given their
stronghold," said Dillon. "It is a place no one, even when looking for
it, would be likely to find, unless he knew