ak
the intelligence of what had occurred to Norah. She, poor girl, had
been intently listening to divine by the sounds which reached the hold
how affairs were going. She knew too well that the engagement her
father was so anxious to avoid was taking place; and the rapid firing of
the guns told her that the crew of the _Research_ were gallantly
defending themselves. Then came the crashing sound as the pirate ran
alongside. The shrieks and cries which arose informed her of the
desperate hand-to-hand struggle that was going on. The comparative
silence which ensued when the remnant of the British crew were cut down,
alarmed her even more than did the occasional shouts of the pirates
engaged in clearing the ship which reached her ears. She dreaded the
worst, and had sunk down on her knees praying for strength to endure
whatever trial might be in store, when, by the faint light of the
lantern which hung in the hold, she saw Captain O'Brien standing before
her.

"Is my father safe? Oh, tell me!" she exclaimed, grasping his hand.

"Yes; thank Heaven, he has escaped without a wound," he answered. "But
affairs have not gone as we should wish," he continued, in as calm a
voice as he could command. "The pirates have possession of the
_Research_, but their captain, who appears to be an Englishman, has
spared our lives and promised that we shall not be molested. I have
hopes that he will keep his word, and you must not be cast down. We
will not be separated from you, whatever may occur; but it is useless
remaining longer in this dark place. We will go back into the cabin,
where I will stay with you till your father comes down."

Saying this, Captain O'Brien, taking the lantern, led Norah up from the
hold through a passage, by which they reached the state cabin without
going on deck.

Norah's agitation made her scarcely able to stand, so Captain O'Brien
led her to a sofa and took a seat by her. The next instant Captain
Tracy entered. She sprang up, and, throwing her arms round his neck,
burst into tears. While he was supporting her a step was heard, and the
pirate leader appeared at the doorway. He gazed for a moment at Norah.

"Miss Tracy," he exclaimed, "had I known that the shot fired from my
ship were aimed at the one which you were on board of, I would sooner
have blown up my own craft or sent her to the bottom. I trust that you
will pardon me for the alarm and anxiety I have caused you."

Norah gazed at t