that she
will come up with us," answered the old captain, who could not deny the
fact. "She hitherto has had the advantage of a stronger breeze than has
filled our sails, but we may shortly get more wind and slip away from
her. If she does come up with us, we may find that she is perfectly
honest, and that we had no cause to try and keep out of her way; so
don't be alarmed, my dear, but go below and have some breakfast--it is
on the table by this time--and your father or I will join you presently.
One of us must remain on deck to look out for any reefs which may run
off that island yonder."

Captain Tracy giving Norah the same advice, she unwillingly went below,
and took her seat at the breakfast-table to await their appearance. She
waited and waited, but neither of the captains nor the first mate came
below. They were all, indeed, too busily engaged in watching the
progress of the stranger and discussing her character to think of
breakfast. She had been bringing up a much stronger breeze than had
hitherto filled the sails of the _Research_, to which she had now got
almost within gunshot. Captain Tracy had for some time been intently
examining her through his telescope.

"Tell me if you have ever seen that craft before," he said, handing it
to Captain O'Brien. "My eyes may deceive me, and it may be mere fancy,
but I cannot help thinking that she is a ship I ought to know well."

"By my faith, I ought to know her too," exclaimed Captain O'Brien. "If
that vessel isn't the _Ouzel Galley_, she has been built to look like
her. Perhaps, after all, our friend Owen may have run her on one of the
unfrequented keys to the nor'ard, and, having only lately got her afloat
and refitted, is now on his way to Jamaica. He is therefore naturally
anxious to speak an English ship, to hear news from home."

"That vessel may be the _Ouzel Galley_, but Owen Massey would never
hoist such a piece of bunting as that," cried Captain Tracy, who, having
again taken the telescope, was looking towards the stranger, which had
just then run up to her fore topgallant mast-head a black flag with the
well-known pirate's device of a death's head and cross-bones. The
object was evidently to intimidate the crew of the chase.

Directly afterwards the stranger yawed and fired her foremost gun. The
shot came flying across the water, but, after several times striking the
surface, sank short of the _Research_. There was no longer any doubt of
t