; there wasn't a light to be
seen on shore; indeed, there didn't appear to be many houses
thereabouts. Mr Rogers came on deck again after the young lady and
they had gone below.

"`I am sorry to find the brig engaged in this sort of work,' he said;
`there is to be a rebellion or something of that sort on shore, and if
the colonel is caught it will be a serious matter for him, and, what is
worse still, for his daughter. What do you think of it, Needham?'

"`What you do, sir,' says I; `I wish that he was safe aboard again, and
that we were on our way back to Jamaica; but I don't think the skipper
is likely to steer northward, till he has landed the whole of his cargo,
and a good portion of it consists of arms and warlike stores.'

"While we were talking the mate came aft, and asked Mr Rogers, somewhat
rudely, if he was going to take charge of the deck, while he ordered me
forward.

"`I shall be very happy, if you wish it,' said Mr Rogers.

"`Maybe if you do the ship will run away with you, my lad,' said the
mate, with a sneer.

"I didn't hear more, but I saw Mr Rogers walking the deck quite as if
he didn't mind what the mate had said, and was officer of the watch. It
was my opinion, from the way the skipper and first mate behaved to the
young gentlemen and me, that they wanted us to leave the ship, so that
we might not be spies on their actions. I waited till I saw the first
mate go below and the second mate come on deck. He was a quiet sort of
young man, and he and Mr Rogers were on friendly terms. I then went
aft. They seemed anxious, from what they were saying, about the colonel
not coming back by that time. While they were talking, the young lady,
with Polly, came on deck, and heard some of their remarks before they
knew she was near them.

"`Oh, Mr Rogers, do you really think the people on shore will interfere
with my father?' she asked. `He surely ought to have returned by this
time.'

"`We are expecting him every moment, Miss O'Regan,' answered Mr Rogers,
putting her off as it were, and not wishing to say what he thought.
`All seems perfectly quiet on shore.'

"The other young gentlemen had followed her on deck, and they all three
tried to persuade her to go below again, telling her that they were
afraid she might suffer from the night air. Still she stood looking out
towards the shore; but no lights were seen, and no sound of oars could
we hear. At last Mr Rogers said, just as if he was a gro