the task to
draw her thoughts from present circumstances. "I wonder if we are to be
kept prisoners below all day, or whether our piratical captor will take
it into his head to invite us on deck?" he continued. "I should have no
objection to smoke my pipe and enjoy a little fresh air. When Jumbo
next appears, I'll send our compliments and request the favour."

The old captain carried out his intentions, and Jumbo returned with a
message from the pirate captain, to the effect that they were welcome to
come on deck if they chose.

Norah would have far rather remained in the cabin, but, as she dreaded
being left alone, she agreed to accompany her father and Captain
O'Brien. The pirate bowed as she appeared, and placed a seat for her on
the poop, inquiring simply whether she had been supplied with everything
she required. She briefly thanked him, and turned aside her head to
avoid the gaze of the ruffianly crew, as they moved towards the
after-part of the deck in the prosecution of their various duties.
O'Harrall merely nodded to the two old captains, who stood by her side.
The wind was baffling, and he was continually engaged in trimming sails,
so that he was prevented for some time from again addressing her.

The _Ouzel Galley_ had now got into a more open part of the sea, though
neither of the old captains could tell exactly where they were. Again
the wind became steady, and O'Harrall was coming up, apparently to speak
to Norah, when the look-out from the mast-head shouted, "A sail on the
starboard quarter!"

One of the chief officers was immediately sent aloft. On coming down,
he reported the stranger to be a large ship running free.

"Does she look like a merchantman?" inquired O'Harrall.

"Much more like a man-of-war, judging by the cut of her canvas," was the
answer, in a low voice.

"Perhaps she will take no notice of us," remarked O'Harrall. "It will
be time enough if she gives chase to make sail; but it would only be
drawing her attention towards us, if we were to do so now."

Captain Tracy overheard these remarks, but endeavoured to look as
unconcerned as possible, though, as may be supposed, he earnestly hoped
that the officer's surmise was correct, and that the stranger would
endeavour to overhaul them.

The pirate continued to walk the deck, every now and then turning his
glass in the direction the stranger had been seen, while the officer
again went aloft. Presently he hurriedly came down an