rter!"

The crew, leaving their guns, seized the boarding pikes which had been
placed round the mainmast for their use, and, drawing their cutlasses,
stood prepared to defend their ship against the fearful odds opposed to
them. So occupied had been the combatants that neither of them had
perceived the approach of another ship. Uttering wild shouts and
shrieks, a number of dark forms were seen scrambling on board the _Ouzel
Galley_. The moment they appeared they were attacked vigorously by her
crew, led on by Owen and his mates, and many were hurled into the sea or
driven back on board their own ship. His success encouraged him to
attempt cutting his ship free from the enemy, but while he and his men
were thus engaged, a loud voice from the deck of his opponent was heard
shouting, "At them again, lads! We mustn't be beaten in this way. I'll
lead you; follow me!" and the next moment, another party of boarders
appearing, the crew of the _Ouzel Galley_ were compelled again to stand
on the defensive. And now, in overwhelming numbers, the enemy came
leaping down on the deck, and Owen, with anguish, saw that his chance of
opposing them successfully was small indeed. Still, like a brave man,
he determined to fight till the last, urging his mates and crow not to
yield as long as one remained alive. At this juncture a loud crashing
sound was heard, and a large ship was seen gliding up on his larboard
side. The hearty British cheer which greeted his ears assured him that
succour had arrived, and the next instant the crew of the _Champion_
came pouring on board. The subsequent events have already been
narrated.

Norman Foley, on going below, soon made his way into the after hold,
where he found Miss Ferris and her father. The crashing of the ships
together, the shouts and shrieks of the combatants, had greatly alarmed
them both. Mr Ferris had been desirous of going on deck to ascertain
the state of affairs, and, indeed, had it not been for his daughter, he
would have taken a part in the fight. He had done his utmost to calm
her terror, but believed that she had too much cause for it, and had
found it a difficult task. On hearing Norman Foley approach, she was
seized with a not unnatural dread that some of the enemy had made their
way below; but on recognising him, forgetting in her joy the reserve she
generally exhibited, she sprang forward and threw herself into his arms.

"We are safe--we are safe, father!" she e