that morning, though we were not
aware of her destination. She carried despatches from Sir Peter Parker,
giving Lord Howe the information which had been received, and requesting
that reinforcements might immediately be sent to the island. The people
on shore were actively engaged in strengthening Fort George, Fort
Augusta, and the Apostles' Battery, and throwing up new forts in various
directions. While the blacks were labouring at the fortifications, all
the white men were being drilled to serve in the militia, which was
numerous and enthusiastic; so we hoped that even should the French and
Spaniards land, they would be soundly thrashed.

Some days passed before we received any news of our friends at Belmont.
No leave was granted, as the captain could not tell at what moment we
should be ordered to sea. Tom and I were therefore unable to go to
Kingston to make inquiries about them. At length a shore-boat came off
with letters, and one, which I knew by the superscription to be from Mr
Talboys, was handed to me. As I opened it, a small delicate note--
addressed, Tom Pim, Esquire, H.M.S. _Liffy_--fell out. As Tom was
standing close to me at the time, he eagerly snatched it up. I was
right in my surmises with regard to my letter. Mr Talboys having again
expressed his thanks for the services my messmates and I had rendered
him, after saying that his family were all well, went on to inform me
that the outbreak of the blacks had been quickly suppressed, the
ringleaders having been caught and hanged. Mr Marchant's house and
three others had alone been destroyed, and with the exception of an
overseer and two clerks, the remainder of the inhabitants had managed to
escape. "I hope," he added, "that we shall see you and your messmates
again, and I shall be especially pleased to welcome that brave young
fellow who so gallantly rescued my daughter."

"What does your letter say, Tom?" I asked, when I had finished mine.

"Well, I shouldn't like to show it to any one else," he said; "but as
you know how I regard Miss Lucy, I will to you. I can't say that I am
quite satisfied with it. It's a little too patronising, as if she
thought herself a great deal older than I am. You shall have it," and
he handed me the note.

"My dear Tom,"--it began,--"you are such a dear little fellow that I
feel I must write to you to say how grateful I am to you for having
saved me from those dreadful blacks. I should not have suppo