ck with all the air and consequence of
one. He had already become a fair navigator, and Higson could depend on
his calculations. Gordon was dubbed the "Master," and it was voted that
Desmond should be "Second Lieutenant."

"I say," exclaimed Tom, "we ought to have a doctor, and so I propose
that we give Master Spider the rating, since we haven't got a better one
to fill the post; he at all events won't drench his patients with
physic, and if he has to bleed them he will do it artistically with his
teeth." So Spider was dubbed "Doctor" from henceforth. Higson
appointed Archy Gordon also to do the duties of "Purser," so that he had
plenty of occupation.

It was impossible to be more attentive to poor Miss O'Regan than were
the young midshipmen, or more thoughtful in all they did. Although she
still looked pale, she endeavoured to show her gratitude whenever she
came on deck by her cheerful conversation and her smile, which Desmond
declared beat everything in the way of sunshine. The midshipmen enjoyed
the voyage and quickly regained their strength, somewhat lost during
their imprisonment; as to their spirits they were of too buoyant a
nature to be kept down the moment the pressure was removed.

At length the Blue Mountains beyond the harbour of Port Royal appeared
in sight, the sea breeze, which still blew fresh, wafting the brig
rapidly towards the shore.

Miss O'Regan, with her faithful attendant by her side, seated on deck,
watched with much interest the magnificent view which gradually rose
before her eyes. The three midshipmen were standing near her.

"I cannot help hoping that the frigate and corvette have been sent to
sea; if not, Higson will have pretty soon to give up his command, and we
three, degraded from our rank, shall be ignominiously sent back into the
midshipman's berth," said Tom, with a laughable grimace.

"Then the sooner we make up our minds to sink into insignificance the
better," observed Desmond, who had a telescope to his eye. "I make out
clearly enough the frigate and corvette at anchor; however, we shall
have a jolly time of it giving the other fellows an account of our
adventures. I vote that we make old Scrofton believe that `Master
Spider' played a gallant part in the capture of the Carthagenan fleet,
and led the boarders when we took the corvette."

"But we didn't board at all, in the first place," said Tom, "so that
won't be true to begin with."

"No, but when one's about