hould not have been, I'll allow,
and just then down the gauchos pounced upon us, and all in a moment,
before we could sing out, a couple of them whipped their lassos over the
lads' shoulders and hoisted them up on their saddles. You may be sure,
sir, we made all sail after them as fast as we could carry on, but it
was all of no use. The horses' four legs were better than our two, and
we were afraid of firing for fear of hitting the young gentlemen. Maybe
the fellows carried them off to save their own hides."

Poor Jack felt very unhappy, and at once pulled off to the commodore, to
consult him and some of the other captains as to what was best to be
done.

"It is only to be hoped that Rosas will not treat them as he is said to
have treated some of his prisoners, and cut off their ears," was the
remark made when Jack told his story. "Of course every effort must be
made to recover the youngsters; and as soon as we can hold any
communication with Rosas, we will send to demand their release, and will
offer to exchange any of his followers who may fall into our hands for
them. In the meantime such private means as are available must be
employed, and you and Mr Adair shall have every possible opportunity
given you of carrying them out. We will think over the matter, and
decide what steps, under the circumstances, it is best to take. The
general, however, has shown no inclination whatever to come to terms;
and not withstanding his defeat, it is evident that he intends to fight
out the quarrel to the bitter end." This was poor consolation to Jack
and Terence, who felt more cut up than they had ever been in their
lives.

Jack had not, however, forgotten Murray, and as soon as duty would allow
him, he went on board the _Tudor_. He found his old friend able to sit
up at table in his cabin, though looking pale and ill from loss of
blood, and certainly more fit to be in his cot.

"You see, Jack, that my forebodings are partly realised," he said, as
his old shipmate entered; "at all events, had the bullet struck me the
sixteenth of an inch on either side my wound would have been fatal. I
am afraid, from what the doctor says, that it may be some time before I
am fit for active duty, and he advises me to apply to be superseded, and
to go home."

Jack of course hoped that the doctor was wrong, and that Murray would be
able to remain out till the affair on which they had been sent had been
brought to a satisfactory issue.