Norah, in reply, told Ellen what Captain Tracy had said; but Miss Ferris had made up her mind to go if she could, and was not to be deterred from her purpose. One evening Norah was seated at the open window with her work before her, while her father occupied his usual armchair, smoking his pipe, when a rapid step was heard approaching the house. Norah uttered a cry of delight, and, hurrying to the door, the next moment was in Owen Massey's arms. "I am glad to see you back, my lad," cried the old captain, grasping his hand; "you've made a quick voyage, and a prosperous one, I hope?" "As prosperous as I could desire," answered Owen. "We have had two or three narrow escapes from the enemy's cruisers, but the _Ouzel Galley_ is in good trim, and never sailed better. I heard in Waterford that I am to proceed to Dublin," he continued; "so I paid my mother a visit, and she bade me hurry on here. I can remain but a short time, for I must be on board again early to-morrow." "We'll make the most of you, then, my lad," said Captain Tracy, "and Norah looks as if she intended to do so." She was the first to tell Owen of the intention of Mr Ferris to go out in the _Ouzel Galley_ to Jamaica, and that Ellen had made up her mind to accompany him. "She has asked me to pay her a visit before she goes," she added, "and I should much like to do so could I leave my father, but that I cannot do." "Nor shall you, my girl, for I will go with you," said the captain, who had overheard her remark. "We'll go in the _Ouzel Galley_--to my mind there's less danger at sea than from those land pirates, the highwaymen--and if you can pack up your traps in time, we'll go aboard to-morrow morning. What say you, Owen? Will you take us as passengers?" Owen expressed his pleasure at the proposal, and Norah had no doubt that she could pack up in time. Owen put aside all fears of capture by the enemy; indeed, the Channel was so well guarded by British ships of war that there was little danger, he thought, on that score. He had too much confidence in his own seamanship to think of shipwreck. After all arrangements had been made, he went back to spend the rest of the evening with his mother, while Norah and the captain, with Biddy's help, prepared for their departure. CHAPTER NINE. THE OUZEL GALLEY SAILS FOR DUBLIN--A STRANGE SAIL TO THE SOUTHWARD-- FOLLOWS THE OUZEL GALLEY--THE CHAMPION SENDS MR. FOLEY AND GERALD TO PRESS SOME OF HER MEN--NORAH IN DUBLIN--MR. FOLEY AND GERALD IN COMMAND OF A PRESSGANG--AN ADVENTURE ON THE LIBERTIES--A SUSPICIOUS CHARACTER CAPTURED--PRESSED MEN CARRIED OFF--ELLEN AND MR. FERRIS SAIL IN THE OUZEL GALLEY--CAPTAIN TRACY AND NORAH RETURN TO WATERFORD--THE OUZEL GALLEY WITH THE CONVOY BOUND FOR THE WEST INDIES--SHARP ACTION WITH FRENCH FRIGATES--THE ENEMY BEATEN OFF.