ope was that she might be sighted by some man-of-war and recaptured.
This hope, however, was but slight. The pirates were likely to be wary,
and they would take care to keep away from any strange sail. The wind
was light, and the _Ouzel Galley_ made but slow progress. Owen
recollected that the pirate ship was in company. O'Harrall, when he
came occasionally into the cabin, showed no inclination to give him any
information.

Another and another day went by, and Owen began to lose all hope of
being retaken; still, as long as the ship was at sea, there was a
probability of this occurring.

"Suppose we are chased--won't the pirates be after cutting all our
throats, sure?" suggested Tim, who was more out of spirits than either
Owen or Dan.

Owen could not help thinking that such might be the case; yet if the
_Ouzel Galley_ were to be recaptured, notwithstanding the injury
O'Harrall had done him, he determined to plead for his life. Not that
he could perceive a single good quality in the man, except his undaunted
bravery, and he himself felt grateful to him for saving his his life,
though it was done in return for his twice having saved O'Harrall's.

On the morning of the fourth day the wind freshened, and the ship made
better progress. Towards evening, Owen and his fellow-prisoners could
distinctly hear the roar of breakers. Occasionally the loud voice of
O'Harrall, issuing his orders, reached their ears. The ship rose and
fell several times as if passing over a bar, then Owen felt that she was
gliding on through perfectly calm water. He heard the orders for
shortening sail; still she continued her course for some distance, till
the anchor was dropped and all movement ceased. He could have no doubt
that she had entered a harbour, the rendezvous of the pirates, where
they would consider themselves safe from attack, and that his chances of
escape were now likely to be small indeed. The _Ouzel Galley_ had been
some time at anchor when O'Harrall entered the cabin.

"I have made arrangements for you and the two Irishmen to live on
shore," he said; "the black can attend on you, and you must make the
best of the circumstances in which you are placed. As to your escaping,
that is out of the question, so I will not go through the ceremony of
taking your word that you will not make the attempt. As to the future,
I can say nothing. If I can prudently at any time set you at liberty, I
will do so, although when that ma