gerly at the big
junk.

Jack and Alick then showed themselves, and the two vessels were soon
alongside of each other. Very little time was lost in greetings, and it
was quickly arranged that they would again start off to secure two or
three more junks before they returned. As, however, during the time
they had been approaching each other the enemy had got considerably in
advance, and as the frigate at the same moment began to fire guns to
recall her boats, they agreed that they ought to return. Another reason
which had still more weight with them was, that they had several of
their men wounded, for whom they wished to get assistance.

They at once, therefore, hauled their wind, but they had considerable
difficulty in beating up toward the frigate, till they bethought them of
lowering the junks' leeboard, when they found them sail wonderfully well
to windward. Before dark the captured junks were assembled under the
guns of the frigate and brig. The reception the midshipmen met with on
board the frigate was cordial in the extreme. All rejoiced, fore and
aft, that Rogers and Murray had once more turned up.

"Well, it's a mighty satisfaction to be lost, for the sake of the
pleasure it affords one's friends to see one back again," observed
Terence; "and, old fellows, I knew you would come back, somehow or
other; I always said so; astride of a dolphin if in no other way, though
Harry here and some of our friends would not believe me."

"I am very glad you were right, Paddy," said Jack. "But we haven't done
with the pirate yet. The villains have carried off two ladies, and some
seamen, and we must be after them."

"We shouldn't lose time either," observed Murray. "We should tell the
captain, and get him to send off an expedition at once to search for
them."

All agreed to this; so Jack and Alick instantly went to the captain's
cabin and made their report. On hearing it, Captain Grant, without loss
of time, organised an expedition, which was placed, as had been the
former one, under the command of the indefatigable Lieutenant Cherry.
Captain Willock volunteered his services, as did his men, and Terence
got leave to accompany it with Jack and Alick.

The wounded men were in the meantime removed from the brig; she was
furnished with a supply of powder, and fresh hands were sent to her from
the frigate. Captain Hemming was then ordered to cruise in whatever
direction the boats might go, to render assistance if n