he speaker with a look of terror as she clung to her
father's arm. His countenance had been too deeply impressed upon her
memory for her ever to forget it. She recognised in him the once second
mate of the _Ouzel Galley_, when he had gone under the name of
Carnegan--the man who had attempted to carry her off, and who had
afterwards audaciously presented himself, when an officer on board the
French privateer under the command of Thurot. Now he was the
acknowledged captain of a band of pirates, and she and her father were
in his power. He had spared the lives of the two old captains, but of
what outrage might he not be guilty when he found that the love he
professed was rejected? She endeavoured to recover herself sufficiently
to answer him, but her efforts were for some time vain. Her limbs
trembled under her; her voice refused to utter the words she would have
spoken. Her father could not fail to observe her agitation.

"Retain your presence of mind, my child," he whispered, "but don't
offend our captor."

By a strong effort, while the pirate stood gazing at her, she recovered
herself.

"I claim nothing beyond the mercy any helpless woman might ask for on
board a captured vessel," she answered at length; "and if you would save
me from further suffering, I would pray that you would put my father and
me, with our friend, on shore at the nearest spot at which you can land
us. The vessel and cargo are yours, by right of conquest, but you can
gain nothing by keeping us prisoners."

"You are mistaken, Miss Tracy," said the pirate; "I can gain everything
which for long years it has been my fond desire to obtain. You
recognise me, I am sure, and you cannot have forgotten the deep--the
devoted love I have expressed for you. Promise me that you will no
longer despise it, and your father and his friend shall not only be
protected, but treated with every respect and attention they can
require."

This address increased rather than allayed Norah's alarm.

"Oh, what shall I say to him?" she whispered to her father. "For your
sake and Captain O'Brien's, I would not, if I can help it, arouse his
anger."

Norah was, however, saved from the difficult task of answering the
pirate by the appearance of one of his officers, who came to summon him
on deck, that he might give his orders for the management of the two
vessels. He hurried away, and left the trio to consult as to the best
mode of treating him. He was for some