eading his way among the rocks to
the southward.

Gerald naturally felt an intense interest in the expedition. He was
sure that the pirate was the _Ouzel Galley_, and he hoped from some of
the prisoners they might take to gain information about Owen Massey.

A considerable portion of the day had been spent before the boats,
rounding the island, again came in sight of the two ships. They were
still as before cannonading each other at a distance. The boats had met
with a strong current, which had considerably impeded their progress.
It wanted a little more than an hour to sunset, while they were upward
of two miles from the pirate.

"If we wait till dark we shall have a better chance of taking the pirate
by surprise, as she will not expect to be attacked by the boats,"
observed Mr Tarwig to Gerald; "but then, again, we run the risk of
losing her altogether, should a breeze spring up.--What do you say,
master?" he shouted to Mr Billhook, who was in the boat nearest to him.
"Shall we wait till darkness comes on, or pull away at once for the
pirates?"

"As you ask me, I venture to say that we had better wait till dark. If
the pirates catch sight of us before we are alongside, they may knock
one of our boats to pieces, or, for that matter, sink all of them,"
answered the master.

The boatswain, when asked, agreed with the master. Mr Tarwig therefore
decided to wait, under shelter of a high reef of black rocks, which
would effectually conceal the boats from the pirate.

Gerald felt greatly disappointed. He had hoped to pull on board at
once, and settle the doubts which had been agitating his mind all the
morning. On looking out to the northward, he observed the hitherto
glass-like sea rippled over in various directions.

"Do you observe those cat's-paws, sir?" he asked, pointing them out to
Mr Tarwig. "If the strangers feel the breeze before we get on board,
we shall lose the pirate, and too likely the other vessel will fall into
her hands."

"I believe you are right, Tracy. We must give up the idea of surprising
the pirate.--We must pull for her at once, master. You board on the
starboard bow, Mr Dobbs on the larboard, and I will get on board over
the starboard quarter. You will clear a road for yourself along the
starboard gangway, master. I will meet you there."

Scarcely had these arrangements been made, the boats still remaining
concealed behind the rocks, when the pirate's canvas blew out to the
i