to see
what part of it the ship was approaching. At length, however, Gerald,
whose eyes were as sharp as those of any one on board, made out a tall
tower standing at the end of a long, low point of land. "Hurrah! I see
Hook Tower!" he shouted out; "we're all right!"

"Never made a better land-fall in my life," exclaimed the captain, who
had gone up the rigging, and had been examining the coast with his
glass. As he spoke, Gerald shouted from the mast-head, "A sail on the
larboard bow!"

"What does she look like?" asked the captain, who had returned on deck.

"A ship close-hauled under all sail," answered Gerald; "she's standing
this way, and seems to have come out of Dungarvon Bay, as I can see
Helvick Head beyond her."

"Whatever she may prove, we shall be well in with Waterford harbour
before she can reach us," observed the captain.

"An enemy is not likely to have ventured so close in to the Irish coast,
with the risk of encountering a British man-of-war," said Owen.

"Not quite so certain of that," observed the captain; "she may have run
in hoping to pick up a few merchant craft and coasters without much
trouble, and may have ascertained from other prizes she has taken that
there are no men-of-war on the coast. For my part, I would rather be
safe up the harbour than have to speak her."

The captain and Owen agreed that at all events it would be unnecessary
to keep Lieutenant Vinoy shut up in his cabin. "As he has behaved like
a gentleman," said the captain, "go and tell him, Owen, that if he will
give his word of honour not to interfere with the other prisoners, I beg
that he will come on deck, should he feel so disposed; and that I regret
having been under the necessity of confining him to his cabin for so
many hours--but, Owen, keep an eye on him, notwithstanding; it may be as
well not to trust him too much, and if he were to release that desperate
fellow Busson, the two together might play us some trick we shouldn't
like."

"No fear of that, sir," answered Owen, glad to show the French
lieutenant an act of courtesy, "but I'll keep my eyes about me."

He immediately went below and gave Monsieur Vinoy the captain's message.

"Certainly," answered the lieutenant; "I willingly accept the
conditions. I have nothing to complain of--it was the fortune of war;
you acted towards me as, under the same circumstances, I should have
behaved to you. I will gladly come on deck."

Saying this, he preceded O