ever, by word, or look, or manner, did anything to encourage him. He
also was on his guard not to say anything which might annoy or alarm
her, while his manner was always deferential. He continued on friendly
terms with Owen, and always spoke good-naturedly to Gerald, taking
evident pleasure in describing the countries he had visited and the
strange scenes he had witnessed, to which the boy always eagerly
listened. Although the ship was short-handed, as it was of the greatest
importance to get home as soon as possible, all sail which could be
prudently set was carried night and day. At that period it was the
custom on board merchant vessels to shorten sail at night, go that
should the ship be caught by a squall she might the better be prepared
for it; but as the two mates now took watch and watch during the hours
of darkness, they allowed all the sails to remain standing which had
been carried during the day. A bright look-out was kept from the
mast-head from sunrise to sunset, and occasionally when a strange sail
was seen, as soon as it was ascertained in what direction she was
steering, the course was changed to avoid her. As each day brought the
_Ouzel Galley_ nearer to the shores of Ireland, the captain's spirits
rose, as did his hopes of getting in safe. The second mate seemed quite
as anxious on the subject as any one else on board; but Pompey was not
yet satisfied.

"We're not in yet," he whispered to Dan Connor. "Why he not send de
ship to de bottom before dis I not know; but you see--he play some
scurvy trick before he done wid us."

Fortunately for the second mate, the rest of the crew were not so deeply
imbued with Pompey's opinions as to induce them to act according to his
advice; but they still regarded Mr Carnegan with suspicion, though they
obeyed his commands with as much alacrity as at first. Several other
strange sail were seen in the distance, and as before carefully avoided.
The ship had got to about the latitude of Lisbon.

"How soon may we expect to get into port?" asked Norah of her father.

"If the wind holds fair, another week will carry us safe up to the quay
of Waterford," answered the captain; "but we may meet with a head wind,
and it may be a fortnight or three weeks before we make the land--but
we'll hope for the best, and it will not be for lack of doing all that
seamen can do if we don't succeed."

The sea was smooth, the wind being from the southward, while a light
mist pre