ut I thought it was my duty to tell
your honour. They're preaching mutiny, and they're spreading sedition,
and--and"--here Jones lost his temper, and forgot himself so far as to
bring his fist down on the table with a force that made all the glasses
rattle--"I'd hang the blessed lot."

Jones was thanked, told to keep dark, and, after a stiff glass of the
captain's rum, retired. This man had done his duty.

Early next morning, Admiral Sir John was surprised to receive a visit
from Captain Mackenzie.

The latter soon opened fire in true sailor fashion.

"Admiral," he said, "I've come to make an exchange. I want two of your
best men for two of my very bad hats."

The admiral laughingly requested an explanation. "For," he added, "you
certainly seem to me to wish the better half of the bargain."

Jack explained in a very few words. He desired, instead of bringing the
would-be mutineers to trial, to send one or two of them to every ship in
the fleet.

"'Pon honour," said Jervis, "the plan does you credit. I'd have hanged
one or two of them. But this is better--indeed it is. Well, I'll take
your two blackest hats; and I shan't forget to mention your cleverness
when I send home a despatch. Come down to breakfast."

That very day the smugglers were scattered all over the fleet, and peace
once more reigned in the _Tonneraire_.

* * * * *

In a few weeks' time the wounded on board Jack's ship were nearly all
well; and he was not sorry when one day he was sent for by the admiral,
and told that he was to proceed to sea. There were many ships, both
Spanish and French, sailing to and fro on the coast carrying despatches
of great importance, because they were intended to enable the enemy to
complete their plans. These he was to chase, and either capture or
destroy as suited him best.

Before he left on this cruise, the men and officers of the _Tonneraire_
were delighted to receive letters from home. Jack took his little packet
with a beating heart, and, retiring to his cabin, gave orders that he
was not to be disturbed until he should again appear.

Ah, no one save a sailor knows the real delight experienced in receiving
letters from home! And here was one in his father's handwriting. Why,
it was dated from Ireland; and that is where the general was stationed,
waiting, as he said, to give a true Highland welcome to the French as
soon as they should land. It said nothing about the lost estate