contest who should show me the most kindness and
attention. I went among them an almost total stranger; when I left, I
felt as though I were parting with as many brothers and sisters.

Upon reporting myself to the Admiral, at his office, he received me very
kindly, asked whether I felt fit to return to duty--to which I replied
with a most emphatic Yes--informed me that the _Europa_ was not expected
for another month at least; then invited me to dine with him that
evening at the Pen, and spend the night there.

His table was, as usual, well filled with guests, but they were all
civilians, excepting some three or four military officers over from Up
Park Camp. The navy was entirely unrepresented, save by myself, the
reason being, as I soon learned, that the French, Dutch, and Spanish
were all exceedingly active in and about the Caribbean, and there were
not enough of our own ships to cope with them; consequently every
available craft of any sort flying the British pennant had been sent to
sea, and was being kept there.

At length, when all the guests had left the Pen, and Lady Agnes had
retired for the night, Sir Peter invited me to accompany him to the
broad gallery, covered by a veranda, which stretched right athwart the
front of the house, from end to end, and directed one of his negro
servants to carry out to it a small table, a box of cigars, a jug of
sangaree, and two wicker basket-chairs wherein we seated ourselves
preparatory, as I surmised, to a more or less confidential chat of some
sort, though what, of such a nature, so important a personage as the
Port Admiral could possibly have to say to an insignificant mid like
myself, I could not divine.

Sir Peter, however, was not the sort of man to beat about the bush; if
he had anything to say he generally said it without any circumlocution,
and he did so now. Selecting with care a cigar for himself, lighting
it, and pouring out a couple of tumblers of sangaree, he settled himself
in his chair, and began by remarking:

"Well, young gentleman, so you have quite recovered from the effects of
your wound, eh?--and feel fit and ready for duty once more?"

"Yes, to both questions, Sir Peter," I answered. "But I think I
understood you to say that the _Europa_ is not expected to return to
Port Royal for at least another month--"

"So I did," interrupted the Admiral; "and the question is, What are you
going to do with yourself meanwhile? This is no time for an off