xclaimed; "and you, Norman,
have been the means of preserving us. Oh, how we have been longing for
you! We thought you were far away, and that that fearful ship would
capture us."

Norman, of course, expressed his happiness at having arrived in time to
save the _Ouzel Galley_ from the enemy, and in a few words explained
what had happened.

"You may now with safety come into the cabin," he said, "for the
pirate--such I suspect she is--will not again venture to fire. I must
there, however, leave you, to return to the _Champion_, as we shall
certainly pursue the fellow and punish him for his audacity."

"We shall be glad to get out of this dark place," said Mr Ferris. "Do
you help my daughter, and I will follow."

Just as Norman and Ellen were about to enter the cabin, Gerald appeared
to summon him on board the _Champion_. After a hasty farewell, he
sprang on deck, just in time to see his ship separated from the _Ouzel
Galley_ and making sail in chase of the pirate. Not, however, unhappy
at the occurrence, he returned to the cabin.

"I am very glad we shall have your assistance in getting the ship to
rights," said Mr Ferris, "for I fear she is sadly short-handed."

"Tracy and I will give all the aid we can. I wish we had a few of the
_Champion's_ hands with us," answered the lieutenant.

"Tell me what to do and I will assist you," said Mr Ferris.

"Oh, then I too will come on deck--though I am afraid I cannot help you
much," exclaimed Ellen.

Her father would not have prevented her, but Norman begged that he would
be content to remain below.

"I regret to say that the deck of the ship presents a scene too dreadful
for Miss Ferris to contemplate; and the rigging has been so much cut
about that there is still danger from falling blocks or ropes--you might
at any moment meet with a serious accident."

Ellen was at length persuaded to retire to her cabin, Norman promising
not to leave the ship without coming to bid her farewell. The deck of
the _Ouzel Galley_ did indeed present a fearful scene. Several of the
pirates lay dead between the guns, while five of her own crew had been
killed, and many more badly wounded; every plank was slippery with gore,
the rigging hung in festoons, the sails were rent and full of holes.
Here and there the bulwarks appeared shattered by the shot, which had
also damaged the boats and caboose, the masts and spars.

As now and then other vessels of the fleet came passing by, i