t the less under my
orders, and that her majesty has not lost a ship from the list of her
navy. He says that the whole thing was so quickly done that he has
not been able to learn the full particulars from you, and that he has
abstained from questioning you because you did not wish any suspicion
to be excited among the men of the part you played in it. Now, please to
tell me the whole history of the affair."

Jack thereupon related how his suspicions had been aroused by Sergeant
Edwards, who was only waiting for sufficient opportunity and a certainty
of information to divulge the plot to the officers. He then related
his awaking as the mutiny began, and the steps he had taken to warn the
officers. When he had done, the earl said:

"You have acted smartly and well, young man; you have shown promptness,
courage, and fidelity. You speak above your rank. What is your
parentage?"

"My father was a clergyman, sir," Jack said, "but being dispossessed of
his living in the troubles, could not make his case known on the return
of King Charles; but he supported himself by teaching, and gave me such
education as he could, in hope that I too should enter the ministry.
But my thoughts did not incline that way; and when he died, and also my
mother, I thought of going to sea, when it happened that I was pressed
for a soldier. And seeing that it was so, I made up my mind to make the
best of things."

"And you have done so, young man; and right glad am I that your
education and parentage are such that I can reward you as I should wish.
I give you a discharge now from your regiment and appoint you ensign.
You will at present form one of my staff; and glad am I to have so
dashing and able a young officer ready to hand for any perilous service
I may require."

On the 20th of June the fleet sailed up the Tagus.

Jack had not returned on board his ship.

"Better stop here," the earl said. "If you went back, and they heard you
were promoted, likely enough some of them might toss you overboard on
a dark night. We will set the tailors at once to work to rig you up an
undress uniform. You can get a full dress made at Lisbon. Not that you
will be wanting to wear that much, for we have come out for rough work;
still, when we ride triumphantly into any town we have taken, it is as
well to make a good impression upon the Spanish donnas. And, say what
they will, fine feathers go a long way toward making fine birds. Do you
write a good hand?"