"It is painful work, without honour or glory, and yet duty demands that it must be done," he observed to Miss Pemberton. "I would that others had to do it." Mr Twigg did not fail to expatiate largely on the gallant conduct of Lieutenant Belt, and the important service he had rendered them. "It was indeed a happy day for us when you came here, for, had it not been for him, I believe that none of us would now be remaining alive; and I therefore propose the health of the hero of Bellevue, for such he deserves to be called." Every one corroborated Mr Twigg's account, and the gallant lieutenant made a very neat and appropriate speech. "As he is unfit to march, if you desire it, Mr Twigg, I will leave him here in command of a detachment sufficient to protect the house," said Major Malcolm, "as probably the marines and sailors may be required on board their ship, to render aid in other directions." Norman Foley was not especially obliged to the major for this offer, as he had thought it possible that he might again have been sent on shore in command of a party to protect the house. He had now, however, no excuse for remaining; he was therefore compelled, very unwillingly, to order his men to prepare for embarking. "You will write to Norah, Miss Ferris," said Gerald, as he was wishing good-bye. "Tell her all about me, and say that I hope to see Owen Massey when he comes back again in the _Ouzel Galley_; and also tell her that we had a brush with, we believe, that same rascally buccaneer which attacked the old ship on her voyage out, when you were on board. The fellow escaped us, but we shall keep a sharp look-out for him and take him one of these days. I suppose that we shall remain on this northern coast for some time, and then go back to Port Royal, with lots of prizes, I have no doubt, and perhaps the pirate among them." Ellen and Norman had to part, but they expected ere long to meet again at Kingston, to which place Mr Ferris intended returning as soon as the country was considered safe for travelling. As the evening was approaching, Lieutenant Foley had to hurry his men to the boats, after a friendly parting with Archie Sandys. He had another reason for making haste, for he did not altogether like the look of the sky. "What do you think of the weather, Mr Dobbs?" he asked. "Coming on nasty, to my mind," answered the boatswain, casting his eye round the horizon. "Whether it is one of them hurricanes which blow in those seas, or only a common gale, I can't just say; but the sooner we are aboard, and the ship can get a good offing, the better." Crowhurst, who had been some time before in the West Indies, was of the boatswain's opinion, and thought that they had already delayed too long; but, then, he was not, like the lieutenant, in love, and had found nothing of especial interest on shore.