were put for
the education of their girls, of which they before had no conception.

"Faith! more than double a lieutenant's pay," ejaculated Terence, as he
was turning in at night. "If he would make that allowance to Fanny, the
eldest of the three, I'd do my best to win her before the ship sails. I
can't stand it, Jack. I must either stay aboard and do duty for Cherry,
or never set eyes on these houris again, or knock under to one or the
other."

"`There's luck in odd numbers, says Rory O'More,'" answered Jack, from
his side of the room. "You divided your attention very fairly among the
young ladies, and depend on it they will as easily forget us as we shall
get them out of our heads, by the time we have been a few days at sea;
so don't bother yourself about the matter, Paddy, but go to sleep."

Whether or not Terence followed his advice Jack could not tell, for he
himself very soon went off into a sound slumber. The house was astir at
daybreak, and not long after the white dresses and broad-brimmed straw
hats of the young ladies were seen in the garden amid the fragrant
flowers, with glittering humming-birds and gorgeous butterflies,
flitting about in all directions. The lieutenants speedily joined them.
Jack's wise resolutions were almost overcome. He had made up his mind
to take leave after breakfast. They looked so bright and happy; the air
was so fresh, the flowers so sweet. He and Terence could not fail to
spend a pleasant day, but then he remembered Murray, who would be
anxiously looking for their return.

"Then you'll come again soon, Mr Adair, if Mr Rogers thinks you must
go now," said Fanny, with a strong emphasis on the must, and a gentle
sigh.

"You will always be welcome at Saint David's," added Mr Bradshaw. "And
tell Lieutenant Murray that I will let him know should I hear anything
about the _Sarah Jane_. I may possibly get information which might not
reach him."

Their own vehicle not having started they returned to Kingston in it,
well baked by the burning rays of the sun. With a case of champagne,
and a few other articles obtained of Johnny Ferong, as presents to
Murray, they returned in the evening to Port Royal. Alick thanked them
heartily. He had so zealously pushed forward the brig's equipment that
she would be ready for sea the next day. That very evening he received
orders from the admiral to sail immediately he could. A despatch had
just arrived from the British consul at C