ome delay, but it will be better than running
the risk of capture."

The two mates and Gerald, with all hands, went to the ropes, while the
captain taking the helm, the ship was brought on a wind, the mizen,
which had hitherto been furled, being also set, and the _Ouzel Galley_
stood away on a bowline under all sail to the south-east.

"She has the look of a fast craft, and is probably strong-handed,"
observed the second mate.

"We shall soon see which has, notwithstanding, the faster pair of
heels--the _Ouzel Galley_ is no sluggard, Mr Carnegan, and we may still
hope to run the stranger out of sight. Let her go along, my lad," said
the captain to the man at the helm; "she sails best two points off the
wind; we'll run on till dark, Owen, and if by that time the stranger
isn't to be seen, we'll tack, and may chance to give her the go-by."

"I trust we may, sir," said Owen, in a tone of some doubt; "we have the
advantage of being well to windward, though, as Mr Carnegan was
observing, if she has a strong crew she can tack in half the time we
can, and we couldn't do better than to stand on till nightfall, as you
propose, and then try to give her the slip."

The eyes of all on board were naturally turned towards the stranger. As
yet, however, it was difficult to say whether or not she was gaining on
them. Norah saw that her father and his mates were anxious on the
subject, but, being sure that they were acting for the best, restrained
her own feelings--yet, as may be supposed, she could not help reflecting
what might be her and her father's fate should the stranger prove to be
an enemy and capture them. She had often heard of the cruelties to
which the prisoners of privateers were exposed, and she was well aware
of her father's hatred to the system, although privateering was
generally allowed to be honourable and lawful. The stranger, though an
enemy, might be a king's ship; and, if so, she might hope to receive
courteous treatment from the French officers. Though she had resolved
not to ask questions, she listened to her father's and Owen's opinions
as to the character of the stranger. At noon, which soon arrived, the
captain and his mates came on the poop to take an observation in order
to ascertain the ship's position. They had before this run some way to
the northward of the latitude of Lisbon.

"Sure, it's enough to provoke a saint," exclaimed Gerald, who was
accustomed to express himself somewhat vehemen