ose who would otherwise obtain it can do very well
without any addition to their incomes, I have left all the property I
possess to be enjoyed by her for her life; and you, Jack, must undertake
to see that my intentions are carried out."

"Of course I will, my dear Murray," answered Jack. "But you must not
suppose that you are to be knocked on the head. I hold to the belief
that no man knows beforehand what is to happen to him, though, of
course, when he goes into battle, he may be killed, but his thinking
that he will or will not will make no difference."

"It may be true," answered Murray, with a sigh, "but there is something
within me which says that I ought to be prepared."

"Of course, and I hope you are, my dear Alick," said Jack gravely. "A
truly religious man like you always is prepared, and I suspect that the
weather, together with the fatigue you have gone through, and your state
of health, have something to do with your forebodings. If you won't
think me frivolous, let me ask you what you had for dinner yesterday?"

Murray at first did not answer, at last, faintly smiling, he answered--

"Well, perhaps you are right, and I dare say tomorrow morning I shall
see things in a different light. However, in case I should fall, you
will see my wishes carried out."

Jack again promised that he would do anything and everything that Murray
wished. Terence joined them shortly afterwards, and the old shipmates
spent a pleasant evening, as did Tom with his friends in the
midshipmen's berth. They did not trouble themselves with forebodings of
evil, and all talked eagerly of the fun they hoped to see before long.

A sharp lookout was kept during the night. The steamers had their fires
banked up, as it was thought probable that the enemy might have prepared
fireships to send down among them. As soon, therefore, as it was dark,
the boats were sent ahead to row guard, and to tow them out of the way,
so that they might drop down clear of the squadron. The night, however,
passed away without any occurrence of the sort, and at daybreak the two
commodores proceeded up the river in their gigs to reconnoitre the
position of the enemy. A dense fog which hung over the water enabled
them to approach unobserved. Their return was anxiously waited for.
They quickly acquainted themselves with all they desired to know, and,
immediately they got back, the commanders of all the vessels were
directed to repair on board the fla