red Owen.

By crowding on all the sail she could carry, the _Ouzel Galley_ soon got
again into the body of the fleet, which was now steering south in pretty
compact order. When the next morning broke, the east end of Cuba was in
sight, while the _Champion_ was a short distance ahead, leading the
fleet. A bright look-out was kept, but no strangers were seen. Some
hours' run brought the north-west end of Hispaniola in view. Ellen came
on deck to enjoy her first sight of West Indian scenery. Lieutenant
Foley was, as may be supposed, very happy in her society, and was in no
hurry to make known his existence to his friends on board the
_Champion_. He had as yet had no opportunity of signalling the
corvette; he therefore entertained the hope that he might be able to
remain on board till their arrival at Port Royal.

The fleet was about half-way across the broad bay of Gonaves, formed by
two headlands which stretch out on the western side of Hispaniola, when
two sail were seen standing out from the north-eastern corner. They
were large ships, but whether friends or foes it was difficult to
determine. Soon after they were discovered they spread more canvas.
This circumstance was suspicious; signals were made by the _Champion_
and some of the nearer ships, and she hauling her wind stood back
towards the strangers. They, however, pressed on as before. Mr Foley
and Gerald were now wishing that they were on board.

"If those are either French or Spaniards, the _Champion_ will have a
brush with them, sir; big as they are, she'll beat them off too,"
exclaimed Gerald. "I wish we could go and help her. What do you say,
Captain Massey?"

"That, with our diminished crew, we could be of no real assistance;
besides which, it is our duty to get into harbour as quickly as
possible," answered Owen. "I am sure Lieutenant Foley will agree with
me."

"There is no doubt about it," said the lieutenant, who would have been
very unwilling, on Ellen's account, to run the ship into danger, even
had he not seen the folly of so doing. The _Champion_ having placed
herself between the strangers and the fleet, again kept away. She
apparently was satisfied that they were enemies, and too large to attack
with any hope of success.

"Captain Olding is doing his duty, as he always does," observed Norman
Foley to Owen; "in spite of the great disparity of force, he will do his
best to defend the convoy. See, he is signalling; what does he s