wen up the companion-ladder, making a polite
bow to Norah, who had just before joined her father, and was looking out
eagerly towards the land. In a short time the ship could be clearly
discerned from the deck. The squareness of her yards and the cut of her
canvas made it evident that she was not a merchant vessel; but whether
an English or French man-of-war, or a privateer, it was difficult at
that distance to determine. She was making good way with the tide,
which was then about half flood, running to the eastward; as this was
almost across the course of the _Ouzel Galley_, it was rather against
than in favour of the latter, whereas it added greatly to the rapid
progress of the stranger. Under ordinary circumstances probably neither
the captain nor Owen could have had much doubt about the character of
the vessel in sight; but having so narrowly escaped the loss of the
ship, they both felt more than usually anxious. Every stitch of canvas
the _Ouzel Galley_ could carry was set on her, the sails being wetted
that they might the better hold the wind. The captain kept his glass
constantly turned towards the approaching ship. When first seen, she
was about twelve miles off, while the _Ouzel Galley_ was supposed to be
about eight miles from the Hook Tower. At the rate she was going it
would take her upwards of an hour to get off it; whereas, should the
wind hold, the stranger, with the advantage of the tide, would get her
within range of her guns before that time. No flag had as yet been seen
flying from her peak; but even should she show British colours it would
be no proof that she was not an enemy, as she would be certain to hoist
them for the sake of deceiving any merchant vessels she might meet with.

"I very much fear that she is a privateer," observed Owen, after
carefully examining the stranger through his glass; "still the wind may
fall light and prevent her reaching us--or, better still, shift to the
eastward and throw her to leeward, and we may then soon run up the
harbour, and got under shelter of Duncannon Fort before she can reach
us."

Lieutenant Vinoy had been eagerly gazing at the stranger--a look of
perplexity appeared in his face.

"What do you think of yonder ship?" asked Owen.

"I will not disguise my belief from you that she is the _Coquille_,"
answered the lieutenant. "I know her too well to be mistaken, even at
this distance; but remain tranquil--should she recapture your vessel, of
whi