illed or wounded.

The three friends met again in the evening. Greatly to their mutual
satisfaction none of them had been hit.

"We have had a pretty sharp day's work," exclaimed Jack; "but there's
one thing I hope we shall get for it--our promotions."

"And good luck to the wish," cried Adair, who had just filled a glass
with wine. "It's little else I have got to look to to keep me in food
and clothing. The last letter I got from my dear friends at home gave
me the pleasant information that all the family estates have been
knocked down, and that it would be rather worse than useless for me to
draw any bills in future on my agents. What the knocking down means, I
don't quite know; but the matter of the not drawing bills sufficiently
elucidates the subject to my mind."

"Oh, that is a trifle," answered Rogers and Murray in a breath. "We are
over well supplied, and so you can't want, you know; and then the
chances are that, before long, we pick up a good store of prize-money."

"I know, I know, my dear fellows; I never should doubt you," said Adair,
warmly; "but--Well, I'll come on you when I am hard up. But perhaps I
shall be settled for some other way."

"If it is a pleasant and satisfactory way, I hope so," observed Murray,
pretending not to understand him.

The conversation very soon came to an end by Paddy himself falling
asleep, an example which the rest of the party, looking out for a soft
plank, were not slow in following. After this the three midshipmen and
their men returned to their ships, which sailed away on a cruise to the
northward.

The _Dugong_ one day had sent two of her boats, under charge of Murray
and Adair, up a river to obtain fresh provisions. Their comprador, or
Chinese purchaser, who acted also as interpreter, having landed to make
arrangements, the boats proceeded higher up the river on an exploring
expedition. At length they reached a pretty, peaceful-looking village,
and were induced by its tempting appearance to go on shore. They
strolled about for some time, looking into the houses, the natives
treating them with perfect civility. At last Murray suggested that it
was time to return.

"A few minutes more. See, there is a curious pagoda, let us go and
visit it."

The pagoda was explored; and the priests of Buddha were seen burning
paper matches before the altar.

"We have had a pleasant trip. These Chinamen are really good sort of
fellows," observed Terence; but scar