ck, I
thought for a moment that you had been shot into the other world, and
that I should have had to take command of the _Supplejack_," he
exclaimed. "Believe me, however, it would have been the most
unsatisfactory event in my life."

"I am very sure of that," answered Jack. "It's a mercy, however, that
no one was killed, though some of the men, I fear, have been severely
hurt."

"Yes, two or three were struck by splinters when the schooner blew up,
and twice as many have been wounded by the bullets," said Adair. "The
sooner the poor fellows' hurts can be looked to the better."

Jack agreed with him, and the boats were accordingly steered for the
bank under which they had before brought up.

Jack, recollecting that he was in an enemy's country, did not neglect to
place sentries on shore as before. The lanterns were then lit, and the
hurts of the people as carefully bound up as circumstances would allow.
Two men in Needham's boat were suffering from wounds, while four in
Jack's had been more or less hurt. One man had his hat carried off and
his hair singed by the explosion, though he had otherwise escaped.

As it was important to get back to the brig as soon as possible after
provisions and grog had been served out, the boats recommenced their
downward passage. The current being in their favour, and daylight soon
appearing, the work was much easier, as they had no difficulty in
finding their way. Jack, however, could not help feeling some anxiety
lest the brig, left with so few hands on board, might have been attacked
during his absence, though he was very sure, should such have been the
case, that Bevan would make a good fight of it. His mind was relieved
when he came in sight of her, and saw the British ensign flying at her
peak; the boats were soon alongside, and the wounded placed under the
care of McTavish.

Bevan informed him that Jose Gonzalves had gone on shore to obtain
information, and that he expected him off every instant. This provoked
Jack not a little, as the wind was fair, and though pretty well knocked
up, he was anxious to get under weigh immediately. He was unwilling,
however, to go without the man, as he hoped that he might be of use in
recovering Tom and Gerald, though he sometimes doubted how far he could
carry out his promises; indeed, he had his suspicions that Mr Jose
might be a spy, and was as likely to carry information to Rosas as to
help the midshipmen to escape.

"If we l