the lee of an island, which impeded
the progress of the undulations rolling in from the wide ocean.

"Wherever we are going, it would be a hard matter, I suspect, without an
experienced pilot, to get out again," observed Captain O'Brien.

"We must trust to protection from above, and we may hope to find the
means of escape," answered Captain Tracy.

In spite of their intentions to keep awake, the two old captains could
not avoid dozing off, till they were aroused by the entrance of a black,
who announced himself as the steward.

"Me Jumbo--come to lay breakfast, and cappen say you hab what you like
ask for, especially someting nice for de young lady."

"We shall be thankful for anything you are able to bring us, Jumbo,"
said Captain O'Brien. "We do not wish to give you more trouble than
necessary."

"Dat berry good," answered the black, nodding as he went out of the
cabin.

Before long he returned with an ample repast, consisting of several West
Indian dishes and some others, the materials of which had probably been
brought from the _Research_. The prisoners in reality cared but little
for the food, but it was satisfactory to believe that the pirate
intended to treat them with courtesy. Norah, who had taken nothing for
many hours, was persuaded to eat some breakfast.

"You will feel all the better for it, my dear," said Captain O'Brien.
"I never saw any use in starving one's self, even though one might be in
the midst of an ocean of troubles. Matters always look worse when
people are hungry, and perhaps now that we have had some food, we shall
be able to see things in a brighter light. I have been thinking a good
deal about Owen Massey, and should not be at all surprised that we,
after all, accomplish the object of our voyage and find him. We shall
have paid a high price, to be sure, by the loss of our good ship, but
even that you will, at all events, not think too much if we get him back
safe."

Norah smiled faintly. She almost dreaded the effect her presence might
produce on the treatment of Owen, should he be in the pirate's power.
The terrible thought had even occurred to her mind that the pirate might
offer her the dreadful alternative of becoming his wife or seeing Owen
murdered before her eyes. The idea, however, was too horrible to allow
her to give it utterance.

Captain O'Brien endeavoured to amuse Norah by talking on in his usual
way. He succeeded but ill in his attempts. Impossible was