py-glass. "I have no doubt that they are friends," he
shouted, after inspecting them narrowly; "the enemy have made them out,
and are signalling each other."

The eyes of many on board the merchant fleet were turned in the
direction of the two ships, which in a short time could be descried from
the deck. Shouts arose from many a throat when the Frenchmen were seen,
having hauled to the wind, standing back up the bay; while the gallant
little _Champion_ continued her course after the convoy she had so
bravely defended. The frigates, instead of following her, stood into
the bay in pursuit of the Frenchmen. At nightfall, however, they were
again descried running out, having apparently either missed the vessels
they were in chase of, or found that the latter had got into harbour for
shelter. The convoy now stood on till the end of Jamaica was rounded.

The following day, as soon as the sea breeze set in, the merchantmen
approached Port Royal harbour, the _Ouzel Galley_ being among the
leading vessels. Ellen stood on the deck admiring the magnificent and,
to her, so novel scenery, with Norman by her side to point out its
varied features. Stretching away east and west appeared lofty blue
mountains rising above a stratum of clouds which rolled along their
precipitous sides; in some directions the rugged hills were seen
furrowed by ravines, while in others steep cliffs descended abruptly to
the sea; in many places appeared the richest vegetation, covering the
sides of the slopes, and here and there patches of bright emerald green,
with the white residences of the managers just visible amid them. At
length, right ahead could be seen the town of Port Royal, at the end of
a narrow spit of land known as the Palisades, composed of sand and
overgrown with mangroves, which sweeps round from the east and runs for
several miles directly west, the town being at the western end. The new
town has risen above the ruins of its wealthy, iniquitous predecessor,
suddenly overwhelmed by an earthquake, and in a few seconds sunk many
fathoms deep beneath the ocean. The spit forms a natural breakwater to
the magnificent harbour of Port Royal, or Kingston, capable of
containing in its spacious basin the fleets of all the world. The
batteries of Port Royal completely command its entrance, aided by the
guns of Fort Augusta and the Rock Fort on the opposite side. The _Ouzel
Galley_, as she ran in, passed close under the ramparts of Fort Cha