“No good, sir,” was the answer.
“I fear not,” said Owen. “All we can pray for is that a calm may come on, till we can make sail on the ship, and then we may get away from her during the night.”
“She will be up to us long before that, sir,” observed the mate, shaking his head.
“At all events, in the mean time we will do our best,” remarked Owen; and, without taking further notice of the stranger, he continued working away with his officers and men.
At length her jury-masts were got up, with yards across, and the main-topgallantsail, and such other sails as they could carry were set on them.
By this time the stranger had approached too near to escape the notice of any one on deck. Of course her character was suspected.
“You see her,” cried Owen. “Now, my lads, I hope you will stick by me; and if she proves to be an enemy, of which I have no doubt, we will try and beat her off.”
Several of the crew answered with a hearty “Ay, ay, sir!” but others were silent; among them were the men who had lately come on board in Kingston harbour.
The wind was light, and the Ouzel Galley made but little way through the water. The stranger was now seen to be a ship of her own size, if not larger. Owen ordered the colours to be hoisted, but none were shown in return by the stranger. Again and again he took a glance at her through his telescope, and at last he called his first mate.
“Have you ever seen that ship before?” he asked.