"We'll hope, then, that the wind will not fail us," answered the captain--and he much doubted whether the Frenchman would venture on so bold an act. "If your friends come, we'll give them a warm reception, and we shall be under the necessity of shutting you up in your cabin again." "I shall be ready to submit to your orders," said the lieutenant, shrugging his shoulders. Poor Norah naturally felt very anxious, even though Owen endeavoured to reassure her by pointing out the position of the French ship, which could not tack with advantage till a considerable way astern. The breeze was every moment freshening, and the tall lighthouse on the east side of Waterford harbour became more and more distinct. "No fear now," cried Gerald at length, as the very beach on it stood, with the water rippling on it, could be clearly discerned, and the harbour up to Duncannon Fort opened out to view. The _Ouzel Galley_ was just abreast of Hook Tower when the French ship was seen to tack and boldly to stand after her. "That looks as if the lieutenant were right in his notion; and should we get becalmed inside, or find the wind drawing down the harbour, Thurot will send in his boats after us," observed Owen to the captain. "I have no fear of being becalmed till we get inside of Credda Head, and still less of the wind, as it is outside, drawing down the harbour," answered the captain. "Should the boats get up with us, we must try and beat them off; we were not afraid of the ship herself, and those Frenchmen, though brave enough, are not like our own fellows in cutting-out affairs. See to the guns, however, and get ammunition up on deck, for, should they come, we mayn't have much time to spare." The _Ouzel Galley_ stood on in mid-channel; the well-known landmarks, church steeples, country-seats, and castles on either side were recognised; Credda Head, a long, high point at the entrance of the harbour, was neared, when Duncannon Fort came into view. Still the daring privateer followed as if her bold captain did not yet despair of overtaking the chase. The wind, as the captain had hoped it would do, held fair, blowing over the low land on the east side of the harbour; once up with Duncannon Fort the _Ouzel Galley_ would be safe, both from the privateer herself and from an attack by her boats. At length Credda Head was rounded. "Hurrah!" cried Gerald, who, not having to attend to the navigation of the ship, was watching the privateer, "she's afraid of standing on further--she's about; but, hillo!--she has hoisted English colours." "No proof that she is not French, though," answered the captain; "it is simply to deceive the people on shore." "At all events, she's standing out of the harbour again, and won't do us any mischief," cried Gerald. "Thank Heaven!" exclaimed the captain, "we're safe at last." And the long breath he drew clearly showed how anxious he had been.