s were on
board, while Adair was seen walking the deck of the corvette.

"A boat coming alongside, sir," sang out Norris, addressing Jack, who
was officer of the watch, "and if I can believe my eyes, there's Higson,
with your brother, and Gordon, and Paddy Desmond in her." The
announcement produced no small excitement on board, all who heard it
hurrying to have a look at the three long-lost midshipmen.

Jack, his warm heart beating with joy, rushed to the gangway. He was
soon shaking hands with Tom and his companions, who were warmly welcomed
by their other shipmates. Spider, who had accompanied them, made his
own way up the side, and seated on the hammock nettings, holding on by a
backstay, was received with shouts of laughter by his old friends, he
chattering away, seemingly as glad to see them as they were to greet
him. Singling old Ben Snatchblock, with whom he had been a favourite,
he sprang on his shoulders and was quickly carried in triumph forward,
where he was lost to sight among the crew, who gathered round him as
school girls are wont to do round a small child introduced amongst them.

Higson and the midshipmen were in the meantime relating their adventures
as rapidly as their tongues could wag; as soon as they had given a brief
outline of them, they inquired what had occurred during their absence.
The corvette had been repaired. Commander Babbicome, though still as
much afraid of the West India climate as at first, had not resigned, as
it was thought he would do. Her complement had been made up of the crew
of two merchant vessels wrecked on the coast, with other volunteers, and
a few hands from the frigate, and they were now only waiting the return
of Captain Hemming to proceed to the southward, application having been
made by her Britannic Majesty's consul at Bluefields on the Mosquito
shore for the assistance of some ships of war, to protect British
interests in that part of the world. A variety of outrages and insults
of which he complained having been offered to Englishmen, work of some
sort it was expected would be cut out for them, and all hands were
delighted at the thoughts of having something in the way of fighting to
do.

"Then the sooner I get up to Kingston the better," exclaimed Higson.
"It won't do to be left behind. I can't go, however, without delivering
my despatches to the admiral."

He accordingly hurried back with the three midshipmen to the brig, where
Jack and Adair, who we