e out of the fire. The crew of the _Ouzel
Galley_ were pretty well worn out, and it was with the greatest
difficulty many of them could keep their eyes open. Perhaps the
Frenchmen counted on this, and the hope that they yet might regain their
liberty prevented them from losing their spirits, and they amused
themselves by singing snatches of songs and every now and then shouting
out to each other. They were also well supplied with food, and as much
grog as they chose to drink.

"It's shure to comfort their hearts," observed Dan, as he went round
with a big can and a tin cup; "besides, they'll be less likely to prove
troublesome."

The night came on; the captain, Owen, and Gerald did their best to
encourage the men and to urge them to keep awake, however sleepy they
might feel, continually going among them and reminding them that in a
few hours more they might turn in and sleep for as many hours as they
might like at a stretch, without the fear of being knocked on the head
and thrown overboard. "And, my lads," observed the captain, "if the
Frenchmen retake us, depend upon it that's the way we shall be treated--
they'll not give us another chance."

The only person who slept that night was Norah, who, although she had
not gone through any physical exertion, had felt more anxiety than any
one, from knowing the risk those whom she loved were about to run. It
would be difficult to describe her feelings as she saw her father and
Owen steal upon dock to attack the man at the helm; and often during
that night she started up, believing that the scene was again being
enacted.

The wind continued fair; the _Ouzel Galley_ held on her course, and no
suspicious sail came near her during the night.

CHAPTER FOUR.

LAND IN SIGHT--A SUSPICIOUS SAIL--THE COQUILLE AGAIN--MANY A SLIP
BETWEEN THE CUP AND THE LIP--NORAH AND GERALD SENT OFF WITH OWEN--THE
WIND CHANGES--RECALLED--THE COQUILLE CHASES THE OUZEL GALLEY INTO THE
HARBOUR--SAFE AT LAST--CAPTAIN TRACY AND NORAH VISIT MR. AND MISS
FERRIS--CAPTAIN TRACY'S ILLNESS--THE HOUSE DESCRIBED--OWEN MASSEY AND
HIS MOTHER--VISIT OF NORAH AND ELLEN TO WIDOW MASSEY--THE WIDOW GIVES A
HISTORY OF THE O'HARRALLS.

"Land! land!" shouted Gerald, who had gone aloft at daybreak to be ready
the moment there was light enough to catch eight of the looked-for
shores of Ireland. As the sun rose the coast could be distinguished,
indented with numerous deep inlets; but at first it was difficult