make berry
good fricassee." And he pointed to the dish of fowl prepared as he had
described, which looked very tempting.

Notwithstanding their misfortune, Owen and his companions managed to
discuss the viands placed before them with tolerable appetites, the two
seamen and Pompey especially doing their part. At length Owen threw
himself into his cot, and endeavoured to forget his sorrows in sleep.
His followers, having secured the trap-door, imitated his example.

The next day passed without a visit from O'Harrall. Pompey alone went
below to obtain food, Owen thinking it prudent to follow the pirate's
advice. He spent the time walking up and down the room, occasionally
trying to calm his mind by reading; so that he found the hours pass away
more rapidly than did Dan or Tim, who were ignorant of the art. It
occurred to him at last that he might amuse them as well as himself, and
as several of his books were of an interesting character, he read aloud
to them, greatly to their delight.

"Faix, captin, I niver knew there was sich beautiful things in books,"
exclaimed Dan, who had not in his life been read to before; "and I'll
jist make bould to axe you to tache Tim and meself, and you'll find us
apt scholars, if you don't think us too simple to learn."

"With all my heart," answered Owen; and thenceforth he devoted several
hours during the day to the instruction of Dan and the lad, who, giving
their minds to the task, rapidly learnt to read.

One day passed very much like another. A month went by without
O'Harrall's making his appearance, so that Owen concluded that he had
again sailed. Pompey could obtain no information. Mammy, he said, had
made him promise not to go outside the door, and had threatened him with
fearful punishment if he ventured to do so. There were windows to the
room, but they were high up and strongly barred. Dan and Tim climbed up
to them, but a grove of trees intervened between the house and the
harbour, so that nothing could be seen of the vessels, while on the
other side was a wide extent of sandy country, with the blue ocean in
the distance.

Owen was naturally getting very weary of his captivity. What the
pirate's object was in keeping him a prisoner, it was difficult to
understand. He could scarcely intend to keep him a captive for life;
but when would he give him his liberty was the question. Owen
determined to ask him as soon as he returned. He naturally often
thought over