t that! Well, if you're
so cross you needn't, but you must be a duffer if you don't care to see
what's coming round that headland----'

Marjorie's eyes followed in the direction pointed out by his shaking
finger, and her face cleared.

A large vessel was gliding into view.

Tricksy came running as fast as her little short legs would carry her,
the two dogs barking in her wake.

'Marjorie,' she gasped, it's a man-o'-war; oh, don't you hope it's
that nice one that came last year!'

By this time the vessel had been sighted by the others, who came down
to discuss the situation.

'Perhaps she's a stranger,' suggested Hamish, feeling that it might be
better to prepare for a disappointment.

'She's a fine big vessel, whatever she is,' said Harry.

'She's like the one that was here last year,' said Marjorie.

'Oh, don't you hope she's the same,' sighed Tricksy.

'You are right, Marjorie,' said Reggie, whose eyes were the best; 'I'm
certain it's the old _Heroic_.'

'What fun!' said Marjorie; while Tricksy sighed 'Oh, how nice!'

'I wonder whether the same men are on board,' said Reggie, whose
serious expression had changed.

'Don't know,' said Allan briefly, looking out to sea with his hands in
his pockets and a thoughtful face.

His lack of enthusiasm caused all the others to look at him, and
Marjorie felt her fears revive.

The man-of-war came to a standstill in Ardnavoir Bay and a boat put off
from her side.

'Look, oh look,' cried Tricksy, 'they're coming on shore.'

'Do you think they'll speak to us if they meet us?' inquired Harry,
whose eyes had never ceased to sparkle since the first discovery of the
vessel.

'We'll go down to the landing-place as soon as the boat comes in,' said
Allan.

'Can I go too?' asked Tricksy.

Allan looked at her.

'I think you two girls had better stay up here,' he said; and Tricksy's
face showed her disappointment.

The boat was rapidly coming nearer, and soon she grounded near the spot
where the Pirate Craft lay beached.

'There,' said Allan; 'there are three officers in the boat, and they're
getting out.'

The young people clustered at the edge of the rocks and looked down.

'We had better wait until they are gone,' said Allan; 'don't let them
see that we are watching them.'

'They are going in the direction of Ardnavoir,' said Marjorie; 'I
believe they are going to call for your father and mother!'

'Oh,' sighed Tricksy after the breathless pause durin