oats were sent back, with
directions that the wounded midshipman should be brought to the Pen the
next day; and Murray, taking the admiral's advice, set off for Saint
David's, hoping to arrive there before nightfall.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.

JACK ROGERS IN COMMAND OF THE SUPPLEJACK--ALICK'S LETTER TO JACK--THE
CAYMANS--SHOAL OF TURTLE--DOLPHINS--CHASES A SLAVER--HAVANNAH--SCENES ON
SHORE--SLAVERS IN HARBOUR--POLITE INVITATION FROM A SLAVE-DEALER--JACK
ACCEPTS IT--THE VENUS SLIPS OUT OF HARBOUR.

Sometime after the events related in the last chapter, Jack Rogers
walked the deck of the _Supplejack_ as her commander, he having
superseded Murray, who had been promoted, as every one acknowledged--a
just reward for his gallantry at Carthagena.

Higson had been made a lieutenant, and appointed to the _Tudor_, while
Terence Adair had rejoined the _Plantagenet_. The commander who had
been appointed to the corvette in the place of poor Captain Babbicome
had fallen sick, and as there was every probability of his having to
return to England, Jack had hopes that the admiral would appoint Murray
to the command.

"If I hadn't the _Supplejack_ I should have been delighted to serve
under him," said Jack to Adair, who had come on board to see him.

"I have no idea of a fellow being jealous of another's good fortune, for
no one deserved his more than Alick Murray. I only wish that I may get
the chance of doing something in the _Supplejack_; I won't throw it away
if I can help it."

"You will have more opportunity than I shall have aboard the frigate,"
answered Terence; "and I only wish that I could be with you or Murray,
if he gets the command of the _Tudor_."

"I'm sure, at all events, to fall in with a slaver or two, or perhaps
have some such work as that of Saint Juan cut out for me," said Jack.
"I am now, I believe, to be ordered to Havannah, so Johnny Ferong
assured me yesterday, and as he is certain to be well informed, I expect
every hour to receive my despatches from the admiral."

While Jack was speaking, a boat was seen coming down the harbour, and in
a short time he received from the officer who came in her an order to
proceed at once to Havannah, and on his way to keep a sharp lookout for
slavers, of which it was known there were a good many on the coast. He
at the same time got a letter from Murray, who had been residing with
his friends at Saint David's since he gave up the command of the
_Supplejack_. We may