d, "not to feel intensely gratified at this change in
his position."

The other officers warmly shook hands, Tom Long amongst the number;
while, when it came to Bob Roberts' turn, he said with his eyes
sparkling,--

"I say, Mr Murray, I am glad, 'pon my word." Bob Roberts and Tom Long
strolled out together on to the parade ground, crossing it to get under
the trees where a group of soldiers and Jacks were standing.

"I say, Tom Long, this is a rum game, isn't it?" said Bob.

"I call it beastly," said Tom. "Well, there's one consolation, young
fellow, your nose is out of joint in a certain quarter."

"No," said Bob, "it's yours. I've long enough given up my pretentions.
Miss Linton and I are the best of friends; but I'm sorry for you."

"Bother!" said Tom Long. "I wish I hadn't been such a fool. Why,
whatever are they talking about?"

"I always knew he was a gentleman," said Sergeant Lund, authoritatively.
"The way he could write out a despatch was something wonderful, that it
was. Ha! I'm sorry he's gone!"

"Tell you what," said old Dick, "its about my turn now. What would some
of you say if I was to turn out to be a mysterious orphan, and be a
skipper or an admiral?"

"That's quite right, my lads," said Bob Roberts, sharply. "Old Dick is
a mysterious orphan, and if you open his shirt you'll find he's marked
with a blue mermaid."

"That's a true word," said old Dick, grinning. "But, Master Roberts,
sir, don't you think you might pass your word for us to say a half
dollar down there at the canteen? What's just took place has been hard
on our emotions, sir, and the consequence is as we are all werry dry."

"I think you're more likely to turn out a fish, Dick--a shark, than
anything else," said Bob. "But I don't mind. Will you be half, Tom?"

Tom Long nodded; and the men went off laughing to the canteen, to drink
the health of Frank Murray, late Private Gray, and ended by saying,
through their mouthpiece, Dick, that,--

"This here is a werry strange world."

CHAPTER SIXTY THREE.

THE LAST OF IT.

There is not much more to say about the various people who formed the
little world at the jungle-station.

Despatches were sent home, in which Major Sandars and Captain Horton
dwelt most strongly upon the bravery of the young officers serving
respectively beneath them. Captain Horton said so much respecting Bob
Roberts, that poor Bob said he felt as red as a tomato; while Tom Long,
instead o