x wounded, which I was not aware of. I
forgot to say that the names of the other two privateers were
_L'Etoille_ and _La Madeleine_.

In a fortnight we arrived with all our prizes safe in Carlisle Bay,
where we found the admiral, who had anchored but two days before. I
hardly need say that O'Brien was well received, and gained a great deal
of credit for the action. I found several letters from my sister, the
contents of which gave me much pain. My father had been some months in
Ireland, and had returned without gaining any information. My sister
said that he was very unhappy, paid no attention to his clerical duties,
and would sit for days without speaking. That he was very much altered
in his appearance, and had grown thin and care-worn. "In short," said
she, "my dear Peter, I am afraid that he is fretting himself to death.
Of course I am very lonely and melancholy. I cannot help reflecting
upon what will be my situation if any accident should happen to my
father. Accept my uncle's protection I will not; yet how am I to live,
for my father has saved nothing? I have been very busy lately, trying
to qualify myself for a governess, and practise the harp and piano for
several hours every day. I shall be very very glad when you come home
again." I showed the letters to O'Brien who read them with much
attention. I perceived the colour mount into his cheeks, when he read
those parts of her letters in which she mentioned his name, and
expressed her gratitude for his kindness towards me.

"Never mind, Peter," said O'Brien, returning me the letters; "to whom is
it that I am indebted for my promotion, and this brig, but to you--and
for all the prize-money which I have made, and which, by the head of St.
Patrick, comes to a very dacant sum, but to you? Make yourself quite
easy about your dear little sister. We'll club your prize-money and
mine together, and she shall marry a duke, if there is one in England
deserving her; and it's the French that shall furnish her dowry, as sure
as the _Rattlesnake_ carries a tail."

CHAPTER FORTY SEVEN.

I AM SENT AWAY AFTER PRIZES AND MEET WITH A HURRICANE--AM DRIVEN ON
SHORE, WITH THE LOSS OF MORE THAN HALF MY MEN--WHERE IS THE
"RATTLESNAKE?"

In three weeks we were again ready for sea, and the admiral ordered us
to our old station off Martinique. We had cruised about a fortnight off
St. Pierre's, and, as I walked the deck at night, often did I look at
the sights in th