y be is more than I can at present say.
You are at liberty to take with you your clothing, and any books you
may require for your amusement. I have obtained that favour for you.
According to our laws, every article on board the ship is public
property, and must be divided accordingly. I will accompany you on
shore as soon as it is dark. In the mean time, you can employ yourself
in putting your things together, and taking farewell of the old ship. I
little supposed when I was before on board that I should one day find
myself her commander."

O'Harrall spoke the last sentence in a somewhat ironical tone, and,
without further remark, left the cabin. It was already dark, and Dan
had lighted the lamp which hung from the deck above when O'Harrall
returned.

"I will take you and your followers on shore now, Captain Massey," he
said. "Ask no questions, and take no notice of anything you see. While
I am with you, you are safe; obey my directions and you will continue
so, but I cannot answer for the conduct of the people hereabouts if you
venture anywhere by yourself. Your men will carry your chest and their
own bags."

Pompey had entered with O'Harrall, to assist Dan and Tim; taking up
Owen's chest, they followed him and the pirate on deck. Not a man was
to be seen on board; the ship appeared to be deserted. A boat was
alongside, with two people in her. The Irishmen and Pompey lowered down
the chest.

"Come, Massey, bid farewell to the old craft," said O'Harrall, in the
same tone in which he had before spoken; and he went down the side of
the ship into the boat.

Owen and his three companions descended after him.

"Shove off," said the pirate in Spanish; and the crew, obeying, began to
pull towards the low shore, which could dimly be distinguished through
the obscurity. A few trees rose above it, and here and there at
intervals twinkling lights could be perceived, as if proceeding from the
huts of the inhabitants.

Owen, as he glanced round, saw at once that the ship lay in the centre
of a lagoon of some size, the shores of which were in most parts low;
but to the southward, the direction of which he knew by the stars
shining brightly from out of the unclouded sky, the ground rose to a
considerable height, with what appeared to be cliffs directly above the
water. Near the _Ouzel Galley_ lay another large ship, and he guessed
that she was the one which had captured her, but he wisely forebore to
ask questio