ruise in the Pacific, and an
expedition was also to be sent to the Parana against General Rosas, who,
setting all treaties at defiance, had stopped up the navigation of the
river. As neither the corvette nor brig were likely to sail for some
days, the officers made excursions on shore. Tom and Desmond were
delighted to find that Archy Gordon had so greatly recovered that he was
able to go to sea in the frigate--he was now nearly as well as ever, but
still was not allowed to take exercise on shore.

They proposed making a trip up the harbour, and Higson got permission to
take the corvette's pinnace.

"You must take care of the youngsters better than you did once upon a
time," said Adair. "Don't expend any of them if you can help it."

"No fear," answered Higson, "I will watch over them as carefully as a
hen does her chickens, or a nurserymaid the half-dozen small children
committed to her care."

A good store of provisions in the way of substantials, with a
proportionate amount of liquor, cigars, and tobacco, was laid in; fish
and fruit might easily be obtained. Their uniform jackets being stowed
away in their carpet-bags, all hands were dressed in white flannel
jackets, white trousers, and straw hats or caps; while their only
weapons were a couple of ships' muskets, the same number of
boarding-pikes, and a brace of pistols. Not that they expected to
require them for their defence, but for the slaughter of any game they
might meet.

The party mustered eight in all, including Snatchblock and Tim Brady, an
Irishman, who was taken to act as cook. Tim's only qualification for
the post was that he professed to be able to boil praties with any man
in the service. The midshipmen had forgotten that no potatoes were
among their stores; but then Tim told a good story and sang a song in
first-rate style, which made ample amends for his deficiency of
knowledge in the culinary art.

Soon after daybreak Higson shoved off from the side of the corvette,
calling on board the brig for the remainder of the party. Then making
sail, they stood away up the harbour. The city was soon left astern as
they glided over the calm waters. In the far distance could be seen the
curiously-shaped Organ mountains, while on either hand rose conical
hills amidst forests of lofty trees of every variety. Cocoa-nuts and
orange groves, palms, and mangroves, and others, bearing a variety of
nuts or blossoms of gorgeous hue, scarlet, orange, yel