" There was
a general shout. Again the men sprang round with the capstan bars; the
frigate was afloat. She was soon hauled off into deep water. The well
was sounded, but she did not appear to have received any damage. Night
was now coming on, and the master was unwilling to take the ship through
the intricate channels, among which she was entangled, without daylight
to guide him. She was therefore brought up with a spring on her cables,
ready to make sail, should any emergency arise to make this necessary.

The three old messmates were now together again, for the first time
since they left England. Jack and Adair had all their adventures to
tell to Murray, who was keeping the first watch, and so, though tired as
they were, they preferred walking the deck with him to turning in and
going to sleep. The night was very dark, but the wind fell, and it
became almost calm, so that the only sound was the splash of the water
as the swell broke over the reef ahead. All on board had reason to be
thankful that they were not on it. The young men had a good deal to
talk about; but it did not prevent them keeping their eyes about them,
or their ears open. Jack, also, did not forget his young charge, little
Harry Bevan.

"It is high time we should be thinking of turning in," he observed.
"But I must see first how Harry gets on."

He went below to the berth where the young midshipman had been placed,
and found one of the assistant-surgeons with him. The poor boy was very
feverish, and was continually crying out for lemonade, and other cooling
beverages. Jack sat with him for some time till he became calmer and
better, and then went on deck to have another look out before he turned
in for the night, as, not belonging to the ship, he had no watch to
keep. He found the officer of the watch, Murray, and others peering
through the darkness, over the frigate's quarter.

"Some suspicious sounds were heard coming from that direction," remarked
Murray. "There were voices, and creaking of blocks, and the splash of
oars. It is just to windward, and sounds travel a long distance in a
dark night. Our friends, the pirates, are about some mischief. Perhaps
they expect to find us napping, and purpose paying a visit."

Everybody on deck was on the alert, and there was not much chance of the
crew of the frigate being taken by surprise at all events. Captain
Grant was told of what had occurred; they waited and waited, but still
not