ose the breeze, we cannot tell how long we may be detained
here," he exclaimed, as he impatiently walked the deck. "We will give
him another hour, however; if he does not then appear we must sail
without him."

The cable, in the meantime, was hove short, the topsails loosed and
every preparation made for getting under weigh.

The hour had nearly passed, when Bevan exclaimed, "I see him, sir, at
the end of the point. He is waving his handkerchief, as agreed on."

A boat was accordingly despatched, and Jose came on board.

He excused himself by saying that he had fallen in with some people whom
he took to be enemies, and that he had to conceal himself till they
passed by.

"And what information do you bring us?" asked Jack.

"That another schooner and two gunboats have been destroyed, to prevent
them from falling into the hands of your countrymen, and that not
another vessel belonging to General Rosas remains afloat," answered
Jose.

This was satisfactory news, as Jack now considered that he might carry
out the second part of his instructions and proceed up the Parana, to
rejoin the squadron already some way ahead, searching for Tom and Gerald
as he went along. The anchor was hove up, sail was made, and with a
fair breeze he ran out of the river. He had not got far when he fell in
with her Majesty's sloop of war, _Dashaway_, which had just come from
Monte Video, and from her he received despatches from the commodore.

He was still some distance below the place where Jose had desired to be
put on shore. His patience was to be tried still further. After he had
run on about twenty miles it fell calm, and he was compelled to bring up
not far from Punta Obligado.

Completely knocked up, he and Terence at last turned in, desiring to be
called should the wind change, or any occurrence of importance take
place.

"At all events, Rosas must have had fighting enough for the present, and
his people will not venture to attack us," observed Terence, as they
went below. "If they do, we must let Long Tom speak to them in return,"
answered Jack, as he threw himself on his bed. In half a minute he was
fast asleep.

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE.

THE SUPPLEJACK PROCEEDS UP THE PARANA--FIRED AT FROM THE SHORE--MEET
WITH FRIENDLY NATIVES--JOSE GOES IN SEARCH OF THE MIDSHIPMEN--RETURNS
WITH TIDINGS OF THEM--JOSE LEFT BEHIND--THE BRIG SAILS ON--FIRED AT FROM
THE SHORE--PASSING BATTERIES UNDER A HEAVY FIRE--THE BRIG FREQUENTLY