he character of the stranger.

"Lads," cried Captain Tracy, "you see that flag! Death or worse than
death will be our lot if we don't beat off the piccarooning villains who
have hoisted it. They think to frighten us; but stand to your guns like
men, and we'll beat her off." The crew cheered, and promised to do
their duty.

Norah had not heard the sound of the gun fired by the pirate, but the
men's hearty cheers reaching the cabin, she hurried on deck to learn
what caused them. Just as she appeared, the pirate, again yawing, fired
three shot in rapid succession, one of which glanced along the side of
the _Research_. Captain Tracy had just ordered two guns to be brought
aft, and the crew were engaged in the operation, when, seeing Norah, he
begged Captain O'Brien to take her below and to place her where she
could be out of the way of harm. She had seen enough, however, to show
her the state of affairs; her fears were realised.

"Come away, my dear," said the old captain, taking her hand. "Bound
shot are ugly playthings for young ladies, and the sooner we get you
stowed safely away the more ready we shall be to carry on the game with
yonder gentleman. We'll beat him, so don't be alarmed when you hear our
guns firing. Perhaps we shall knock some of his spars away, and we
shall then take the liberty of leaving him to repair damages at his
leisure."

Captain O'Brien thus talked on, endeavouring to keep up Sarah's spirits,
as he conducted her to a secure place in the hold, which, with the help
of the cook and steward, he set about arranging for her. It reminded
her of the place to which she and Gerald had been sent on board the
_Ouzel Galley_, when her father and Owen, with their handful of men, had
so bravely fought the famous Captain Thurot and his numerous crew. The
recollection of that event encouraged her to hope that the well-manned
_Research_ would beat off a vessel much larger than herself, however
desperately the pirate's ruffianly crew might fight. She sat with her
hands clasped, endeavouring to retain her composure. She would have
been thankful for any occupation, but she could do nothing but sit still
and wait for the result of the impending fight--yes, she could pray; and
earnestly she did so, that her beloved father and his friends might be
protected from the shot of the foe.

When Captain O'Brien returned on deck, he found that the two guns had
been pointed through the stern-ports. The match w