n
that quarter, as I understand there are some very mischievous vessels in
that direction. I hope you will give me a good account of one or two of
them, if you fall in with them."

"I will do my best, sir," replied I.

"Well, I sent you on purpose. I have ordered the senior officer at
Curacao to forward the return despatches by the Mosquito, that you may
have a chance. I won't ask you to stay to dinner, as it is an affair
that presses, so of course you will carry a press of sail. Good-bye,
and I wish you success."

I took my leave of the admiral and hastened down to the town. In an
hour afterwards the Firefly was driving along with a fine breeze on the
quarter, and long before night the vessels in the harbour were not to be
distinguished. The breeze freshened after the sun went down, and I
remained on deck, carrying on to the last moment. Bob Cross once or
twice ventured to say, that we had better reduce the sail; but I told
Bob that the admiral was very anxious that I should make a quick
passage.

"Yes, Mr Keene, but `turning the turtle' is not making a quick passage,
except to the other world, and the admiral does not wish his despatches
to go there. She is a fine boat, sir, but there may be too much sail
carried on a good vessel: the men say she never has been so pressed
before."

"Well, you are right, Bob, and so we will take a little off her."

"Yes, sir; it's my watch coming on now, and I will carry all she can
bear with safety, and I think she will go quite as fast as she does now.
We shall have more wind yet, sir, depend upon it."

"Well, so long as it is fair, I don't mind how much," replied I. "Send
the watch aft."

We reduced the sail, and then I went down to bed.

At daylight I awoke and went on deck. The carpenter had the watch, for
the watches were entrusted to the warrant officers, who were all good
seamen, and accustomed to the schooner. I found that the wind had
freshened, but was steady from the same quarter, and the schooner was
darting through the water at a tremendous rate.

"She sails well, Mr Hayter," said I.

"Yes, sir, that she does," replied he; "and never sailed better than she
does now. I was a little alarmed for my sticks, last night, until you
shortened sail."

"Admiral's order to carry a press of sail, Mr Hayter."

"Well, sir, then by Jove you obey orders; you half frightened the men,
although they had been so long in the vessel."

I felt, by what the carpent