, it was that; and upon the whole I think I liked it, except
when there was a chance of having a fight with our own people."

"That would have been dreadful. What would you have done?"

"Well, I certainly wouldn't have fought; but what I should have done
would, I suppose, have depended upon circumstances. I suppose I should
have jumped overboard if I had the chance."

"And is it true what Captain O'Connor was saying, that you had to do
like the other pirates on the island?"

"I don't know that there was anything particular they did, except to
get drunk, and I didn't do that."

"He hinted that the rule was that each man had to take a wife from the
people they captured."

"What nonsense!" Ralph exclaimed indignantly. "The idea of my taking a
wife. You mustn't believe what Captain O'Connor says, Miss Regan;
except, of course," he added slyly, "when he is saying pretty things
to you."

"I think you will do, Mr. Conway," the girl laughed, "Six months in
Ireland and you will be able to give Captain O'Connor points if you go
on as well as you are doing. You have paid two very nicely-turned
compliments in ten minutes. But there, our dance is finished."

"May I have another later on, Miss Regan?"

"Yes. Let me see; I am engaged for the next five. You can have the
sixth if you like, if you haven't secured my aunt for that."

"You are getting on, Conway," Captain O'Connor said as they drove away
from the Regans. "I have had my eye upon you. Three dances with Polly
Regan, beside taking her down to supper."

"It was too bad of you putting me on to her aunt in that way."

O'Connor laughed. "It was a capital thing for you, youngster, and
paved the way for you with Polly; who, by the way, is not such a
respectful niece as she might be. But she is a very nice little girl.
I had thought of making up in that quarter myself, but I see it's no
use now."

"None at all," Ralph said seriously. "We are not actually engaged,
you, know, but I think we understand each other."

"What!" Captain O'Connor exclaimed in a changed voice. "You are not
such a young ass as to get engaged before you have joined three
months?"

Ralph burst into a laugh. "That's good," he said. It is not often I
get a rise out of you, O'Connor."

"Well, you did there fairly," the captain admitted, joining in the
laugh. "I thought for a moment you were serious."

"No," Ralph said. "I may make a fool of myself in other directions;
but I don't think I am lik