d his intention of
escaping from the pirates on the first opportunity. "I suppose that
they will take me to sea the next time they go," he observed, "and if I
then have the chance, I will leave them. They are likely to be back
soon, and, indeed, I wonder they have not come in before this."

"Well, then," said Owen, "if you ever return to the old country, you
must promise to find out Captain Tracy, living near Waterford, and tell
him that I am alive, and hope some day to get back. Depend on it, the
captain will reward you for your trouble."

"How will he believe me?" asked Hempson.

"I will write a letter for you to deliver," said Owen. He, however,
recollected that he possessed no writing materials, and he might not
again have the opportunity of communicating with Hempson. That moment
it occurred to him that he had a small book in his pocket. It contained
but a portion of a blank leaf. He tore it out, and with the end of a
stick he wrote the letters "O.M."

"When my friends see this, they will know that you are speaking the
truth," he said, giving the man the paper.

Just then Dan, who had gone on ahead, came hurrying back with the
information that a ship was entering the lagoon, and Owen thought it
prudent at once to return to the house. Mammy, on hearing this, told
her captives that they must not again venture forth, and they, of
course, saw the prudence of obeying her.

O'Harrall, who had returned in the ship, paid them but one visit, when
he evidently wished to find a cause for quarrelling with Owen. Owen
wisely kept his temper, though Dan looked as if he would like to try the
strength of his shillelagh on the pirate's head. Whether or not
O'Harrall suspected that his prisoners contemplated trying to make their
escape, it was difficult to say; but they found that a hut was put up
close to their abode, and that it was occupied by two Spaniards,
ill-looking fellows, who seemed to have nothing to do but to sit at the
door and smoke all day. They did not, however, prevent Mammy going out,
accompanied by Pompey, to obtain provisions; and the latter brought them
word that the ship had again sailed. Pompey also found out that Hempson
had gone on board the ship, and Owen hoped that he would carry out his
intention of escaping. Slight as was the chance that he would convey
any information to Captain Tracy, it yet raised Owen's spirits.

"We, must wait, howeber, to get 'way till we can manage dese rascal