thinking it probable that the pirate would run for the
shelter of those remote islands which he knew were seldom visited by
merchant ships. The importance of keeping the chase in view as long as
possible, and following it up without delay, he felt it would be
accepted as a sufficient excuse by Montague for not putting back to take
him on board.

The squalls which happened to prevail at that time drove the _Talisman_
farther south than her first lieutenant had intended to go, and she
failed to fall in with the pirate schooner. Mulroy cruised far and wide
for fully a week; then he gave up the chase as hopeless. Two days after
the breaking of the storm that wrecked the _Wasp_, the _Talisman's_ prow
was turned northward towards Sandy Cove.

It was the close of a calm beautiful evening when this was done. A
gentle breeze fanned the topsails, although it failed to ruffle the sea.

"I don't like to be baffled in this way," said Mulroy to the second
lieutenant, as they paced the quarterdeck together.

"It is very unfortunate," returned the other. "Would it not be as well
to examine the man called Surly Dick before leaving these waters? You
know he let out that there is some island hereabouts at which the
pirates are wont to rendezvous. Perhaps by threats, if not by
persuasion, he may be induced to tell us where it lies."

"True. I had forgotten that fellow altogether. Let him be sent for."

In a few minutes Surly Dick stepped on the quarter-deck and touched his
cap. He did not appear to have grown less surly since his introduction
on board the frigate. Discipline had evidently a souring effect on his
temper.

"Your late comrades have escaped me," said the first lieutenant, "but
you may depend upon it I will catch the villains in the long run."

"It'll be a pretty long run before you do," remarked the man, sulkily.

Mulroy looked sternly at him. "You forget," said he, "that you are a
prisoner. Let me advise you to be at least _civil_ in your manner and
tone. Whether the run shall be a long or a short one remains to be
seen. One thing is pretty certain, namely, that your own run of life
will be a _very_ short one. You know the usual doom of a pirate when he
is caught."

Surly Dick moved uneasily. "I was made a pirate against my will," said
he, in a still more sulky tone and disrespectful manner.

"You will find it difficult to prove that," returned Mulroy. "Meanwhile
I shall put you in irons and tre