ive title of
sea-coffins, from the number of them which had been lost with all hands.
They carried a heavy weight of metal on deck, had but little beam, but
were rigged with taut masts and very square yards. Still these
circumstances did not trouble Adair half as much as parting from Jack
and Murray.

The frigate and the brig were sent to cruise in different directions,
and for several months did not meet.

"A brig of war is in sight," said Jack, entering the captain's cabin,
sent by the officer of the watch; "she has made her number the _Onyx_."

"Signalise her to heave-to when she nears us," said Captain Lascelles.
"I will be on deck presently." In a short time another signal was run
up. It was to invite the captain and officers of the brig to dine on
board the frigate. It was very readily accepted, and in a short time
the tall frigate and her little companion might have been seen quietly
floating near each other, their sails scarcely filled by the light
breeze, and their rigging and hulls reflected vividly in the calm water.
The midshipmen had a great deal to talk about, and numerous adventures
to describe more interesting to themselves than to anybody else. They
had a very merry party also in the midshipmen's berth, and all were
sorry to find that it was time for the officers of the brig to return on
board. When Captain Lascelles and his party came on deck he cast his
eye round the horizon.

"I do not like the look of the sky out there," he remarked, pointing
with his hand to the eastward. "Captain Sims, I must advise you to get
on board as soon as possible and shorten sail, or your brig will be
caught in a squall before you are ready." Captain Sims was not a man
fond of rapid movement, but on this occasion he saw that no time was to
be lost.

"Good-bye, Paddy," said Jack; "take care of yourself aboard the little
hooker there, and we'll have many a jovial day together before long."

"Good-bye, Rogers; good-bye, Murray; good-bye, old fellows," answered
Terence.

"The brig is a jolly little craft, in spite of what they call her."

"What's that?" asked Murray.

"The sea-coffin," answered Terence, as they shoved off. The two boats
which had brought the captain and his officers made the best of their
way to the brig. They were soon close to her. The white cloud had
meantime been growing larger and larger, and yet there was scarcely a
breath of wind. Many on board the frigate did not believe even th