in on board my ship until my people are sent back. Monsieur Vinoy
came on board with your full sanction, so that I consider myself at
liberty to detain him. In the case of Mr Ferris and Captain O'Brien
complying with my wish, you can take your men to row the boats up the
river. The plan will, I should think, greatly facilitate matters."

"Not a bad plan," exclaimed two or three of the other gentlemen who were
to obtain their liberty. "Ferris, you will not object to remain? nor
you, O'Brien? Without our men we shall be hours getting up to
Waterford."

Mr Ferris was always ready to sacrifice himself for the public good,
though he would have preferred returning home.

"I must hear what my daughter says on the subject," he answered; "I will
not detain her against her wish. At the same time, having perfect
confidence in the honour of Captain Thurot, I am ready to remain on
board, in order, my friends, to save you and your families from
inconvenience or anxiety."

"In that case, so am I," exclaimed Captain O'Brien. "I had my
suspicions from the first that all was not right, and I deserve some
punishment for allowing myself and you to be entrapped."

"Very kind!"

"Very generous!"

"Very public-spirited!" cried the other gentlemen, who were eager to get
out of the scrape as soon as possible. It became necessary at last to
let the party on deck know the true state of the case, and to desire
them to prepare for their departure. Some would not even now believe
that they had been deceived; others were very indignant. The militia
officers pulled their moustaches, swearing that they would return with
their men and capture the pirate, although they could not help
acknowledging that they had been politely treated by the Frenchmen.
Ellen was perfectly ready to remain with her father; she had a thorough
confidence in sailors of every nation, and as it now wanted but two or
three hours only to daylight, she could have the enjoyment of a row up
the river in the morning instead of during the night. She sent a
message to Norah begging that she would not be anxious on her account.

Nothing could exceed the politeness of Captain Thurot and his officers
as they handed their visitors into the boats, now manned by their proper
crews, who swore that the Jersey men were broths of boys, and it was
just a pity that they couldn't speak a little better Irish. Though
still able to pull, the boatmen gave undoubted proofs that they h