ack as before--I can tell that by the
heel of the ship."

Norah, while Gerald was talking, held her breath, expecting every moment
to hear the guns go off with a loud roar, not aware how much the sound
would be deadened before it reached the hold. Neither she nor Gerald
had at first observed the increased motion of the ship, or that she was
heeling over to larboard considerably more than at first. Gerald now,
however, remarked it.

"The breeze has freshened," he exclaimed, "though I don't know if that
will be in our favour. I wish that our father had not told me to stay
here without moving--I would run upon deck to see how things are going
on, and be back in a moment."

"Gerald, not for my sake but for your own, I earnestly pray you to
remain--remember, our father ordered you not to leave this, whatever
might happen," exclaimed Norah.

"Yes, I know that; I was only saying what I should like to do," answered
Gerald.

Nearly another minute elapsed, during which not a word was spoken; then
came a much louder report than had before been heard.

"That was one of our guns, I am sure of it," exclaimed Gerald; though,
from its deadness, Norah could scarcely believe that it was from one of
the _Ouzel Galley's_ guns.

"Hurrah! we've begun at last," cried Gerald, "no fear; I shouldn't be
surprised to find that the shot had knocked away one of the enemy's
topsail yards."

Another and another gun followed in rapid succession; at intervals could
be clearly distinguished the firing of the enemy's guns, and every now
and then a report succeeded by a loud thud, showing that the shot had
struck some part of the _Ouzel Galley_.

"Fire away, my boys, fire away!" shouted Gerald. "I wish that I could
be on deck, even if I'd nothing better to do than hand up the powder!"

Norah again entreated him to remain. For some time the firing
continued, but from the sound of the enemy's guns it was pretty clear
that the ships had not yet got to close quarters.

"Sure, we must be giving it them," cried Gerald. Scarcely had he spoken
when there came a loud crashing sound, as if one of the masts had been
knocked away and had fallen on the deck. Cries and shrieks of injured
men writhing in pain penetrated even to the depths of the hold.

"Oh that some one would come and tell us what has happened!" exclaimed
Norah. "I wonder our father or Owen don't send--it must be something
dreadful."

"I've heard of ships holding out, even though