ly he rejoined Captain Tracy and Norah.

"Here they come," he whispered. "It would be folly to be shot by our
friends, and as the pirates have forgotten to close the dead-lights, the
bullets may be making their way into the cabin. We shall do well to lie
down under shelter. Here, Norah, your own cabin will afford you the
safest place, and your father and I will sit on the deck by your side.
Should the attacking party succeed, at I have no doubt they will, we
shall then avoid the risk of being shot by friends or foes."

The advice was too sensible not to be followed. Scarcely had they
gained the shelter which Captain O'Brien advised, than both the
broadsides of the _Ouzel Galley_ were discharged, succeeded by a rapid
fire of musketry, and a loud cheer from the crews of the boats.

"They will be alongside in another minute," cried Captain O'Brien.

The fluttering of some curtains hung in front of Norah's cabin showed
that a strong breeze was blowing through the stern windows, and it soon
became evident that the ship was moving rapidly through the water.

The crew of the pirate cheered, and several of her guns were fired.
They were replied to by musketry, but the reports came one after the
other, apparently from different directions.

"The villains will escape after all," exclaimed Captain O'Brien, who was
on the point of jumping up to take another look through the stern
window, when his friend, holding him down, observed--

"A chance bullet may come through the port, or if your head were seen, a
marine would be certain to aim at it, believing that he was firing at an
enemy."

The _Ouzel Galley_ glided rapidly over the smooth sea, the firing on
both sides ceased, and though the boats were probably still continuing
the chase, they were eventually left far astern.

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO.

THE RESEARCH SAILS TOWARDS THE PIRATE'S ISLAND--OWEN'S CONVERSATION WITH
MICHAEL O'HARRALL--THE RESEARCH ENTERS THE PIRATE'S HARBOUR--GETS
ALONGSIDE THE OUZEL GALLEY--BOARDS HER--DESPERATE FIGHT--O'HARRALL
ESCAPES--LIEUTENANT FOLEY AND OWEN, WITH A PARTY, LAND TO SEARCH FOR
NORAH AND HER FATHER--A JOYFUL MEETING--THE PIRATE VILLAGE SET ON FIRE--
BOOTY CARRIED OFF--THE SHIPS SAIL--REACH JAMAICA--WELCOMED BY OLD
FRIENDS--THE VOYAGE HOME AND ITS RESULTS--FORMATION OF "THE OUZEL GALLEY
SOCIETY"--HAPPY MARRIAGES--NORMAN AND GERALD AGAIN SENT TO SEA--
ENGAGEMENT WITH A FRENCH SQUADRON--DEATHS OF THUROT AND O'HARRALL--OWEN
RECOVERS