ction,
described the way he and the lieutenant had been left on board the
_Ouzel Galley_. Not being required just then, he dived into the berth
to recount his adventures to the rest of his messmates.

In a short time the two frigates came in, and anchored near the
_Champion_, where already lay several other large ships of war forming
the Jamaica fleet, under the command of Admiral Cotes. Gerald found his
messmates not very much out of spirits at the loss of Beater. The old
mate's body lay between two guns, covered by an ensign; and it, with
that of two other men who had been killed, was carried on shore and
buried in the graveyard of Port Royal, where so many gallant British
seamen sleep their last.

Meantime Mr Ferris and Ellen had gone on shore, escorted by Lieutenant
Foley. Those were the palmy days of Kingston. Men-of-war and
privateers were constantly coming in with rich prizes, whose cargoes
added greatly to the wealth of the city; the streets were crowded with
blacks carrying bales of all descriptions to the stores; merchants'
clerks were hurrying to the quays to superintend the unloading of
vessels, and naval and military officers were moving about in all
directions; the seamen on leave were rolling here and there, shouting
forth their sea ditties; while black and brown women with baskets of
fruit and vegetables were standing at the corners of the streets, often
surrounded by a party of Jack-tars, who quickly emptied them of their
contents.

A short walk soon brought the lieutenant and his friends to the
counting-house of Mr Thomas Twigg, the agent of the firm, and a
relative of one of the partners. They were at once shown to a large
airy room over the office, looking out on the harbour, containing a
table spread for luncheon, consisting of numerous West Indian
delicacies. Mr Twigg, of course, pressed the lieutenant to remain.

"You don't know whether your ship has come in, and even if she has,
they've got on very well without you, and an hour more or less can make
no difference," he observed. Norman Foley was in no hurry to take his
departure. "Mr and Miss Ferris are coming to my pen, about five miles
off," continued Mr Twigg, "and I hope you will accompany them. We
shall start in about a couple of hours, when there will be more shade on
the road than there is at present."

The lieutenant, very unwillingly, was compelled to decline the
invitation, but agreed to remain to see his friends off. On