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Updated: June 29, 2025
"I came to tell you," said Owen, "that the men who had gone in pursuit of you have, to the best of my belief, returned to the city, and now would be a favourable time to make your escape." O'Harrall hesitated. "What o'clock is it?" he asked. "Just past midnight," refilled Owen. "Are you certain that the men who are hunting for me have returned to the city?" asked O'Harrall.
"I feel sure that no one is on the watch," said Owen, "and it may be most prudent for you to get away at once." "You are right," answered O'Harrall. "Again farewell, Massey; though we may never more see each other, I shall always remember that I have met with one honest and generous man."
Owen listened attentively, and felt convinced that they were returning to the city without having overtaken the fugitive, he could no longer restrain his wish to ascertain whether O'Harrall was still in the loft, and cautiously descending the stair, he lighted a lantern and went out. To place the ladder so as to reach the trap was the work of a moment.
There were numerous bales and boxes placed against the walls, on which also hung a variety of arms: firelocks, blunderbusses, and pistols, cutlasses and sabres, apparently the spoils of various captured vessels. "You see that I am not afraid of trusting you with weapons," said O'Harrall who had followed his prisoners into the place, and he pointed to the arms.
Conceal me for a few hours, and I shall be able to get off in safety; refuse to do so, and I shall fall into the hands of my pursuers." Owen hesitated, not because he was aware that the man before him was O'Harrall, the enemy of his family, but because he was unwilling to expose his mother to the penalty of harbouring a fugitive from justice.
Of one thing he felt nearly sure, that O'Harrall would have imprisoned her and her father there as the most secure place in which he could leave them; still even that was doubtful, and he might have a long search before they could be discovered. Norman and Gerald did their best to keep the men together, and to follow close at his heels. At any moment they might be attacked by the pirates.
Closing the door he returned to his room, when on looking out of his window, he found that O'Harrall had disappeared. His mind felt greatly relieved at the thought that he was no longer harbouring a fugitive from justice.
"If we ever again meet, however much changed you may be, I shall know you by that," said O'Harrall. "Now, farewell may a happier fate be yours than will probably be my lot!" "Stay a moment, and I will ascertain that no one is near," said Owen, as O'Harrall was about to descend the ladder. He hid the lantern, and went out into the open part of the garden and round to the front of the house.
Gerald was struck by the voice, and as Larry threw the light of his lantern before him, he recognised, as he believed, the features of Carnegan, the second mate of the Ouzel Galley or rather O'Harrall, as he has been better known to the reader. "Seize the ruffian," cried Gerald; "he is an escaped prisoner. I know him!"
On coming down, he reported the stranger to be a large ship running free. "Does she look like a merchantman?" inquired O'Harrall. "Much more like a man-of-war, judging by the cut of her canvas," was the answer, in a low voice. "Perhaps she will take no notice of us," remarked O'Harrall.
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