of taking
the lead. Her father and Captain O'Brien walked on either side of them,
with cutlasses in their hands and pistols in their belts, the only
articles belonging to the pirates which they had carried off. A sharp
look-out was kept on either hand, lest any of the pirates lying in
ambush might spring out and attempt to recover the prisoners. They, of
course, supposed that the Spaniards, who had made their escape, would
give the alarm.

Owen breathed more freely when they at length reached the boats. As he
looked along the shore, he observed that all the lights in the huts had
been extinguished, the inhabitants, expecting to be attacked by the
English, having probably fled. The men in charge of the boats reported
that none had approached them, nor had they seen any persons swimming to
shore.

The party quickly embarked, and were received with loud cheers, as they
got alongside the _Research_, when it was known that the old captain and
his daughter had been recovered.

With feelings of intense satisfaction and thankfulness, Owen once again
trod the deck of the _Ouzel Galley_, which, though a lawful prize to the
_Champion's_ crew, Commander Olding assured him should be delivered up
to him. The cargo with which he had sailed from Montego Bay had long
since been removed, but a large amount of, treasure was found on board
which, from its character, it was known must have been pillaged from
some Spanish ship. It would therefore now become the property of
Commander Olding and his ship's company.

Lieutenant Foley, with thirty men, was sent on board the _Ouzel Galley_,
and every preparation was made for her defence should the pirates
venture to attack her during the night. No attempt of the sort,
however, was made, nor indeed was a single boat seen moving across the
calm waters of the lagoon, nor could any of the inhabitants be discerned
on shore. The morning found the two ships floating peaceably in the
centre of the lagoon; and except a few huts scattered here and there
along the beach, and the dismasted vessels further up the harbour, no
sign existed of its being the pirates' stronghold. It owed its security
entirely to its remote position and the intricacy of the channel leading
to it. Before quitting it, the commander considered it his duty to
search the vessels and to destroy the pirates' dwellings. Perhaps, too,
he had hopes of discovering some of their booty.

An expedition was therefore sent on sho