d from the information
we have gained he seems as determined as at first to hold out."

"I suppose there is but little chance of our being molested, however, as
we go up?" said Adair.

"I am not quite so certain of that," was the answer. "Rosas thinks he
has got us in a trap; and as I passed the cliffs of San Lorenzo I
observed a large number of men assembled, who quickly got out of the way
as I came within shot of them; they were evidently at work throwing up
batteries, and had their guns been ready, depend on it they would not
have allowed me to pass so easily; I can promise that you will not get
up without some warm work, here and there."

"Well, we must be prepared for them," said Adair; "we have a good supply
of rockets, and our carronades will pepper them with grape and canister,
while Long Tom will play his part as he always does."

"I would advise you not to expose your men more than you can help,"
observed the commander of the steamer; "a sailing vessel would have but
a poor chance when going up the river, should the wind fail her under a
battery."

"We must run it at all events;" and wishing his friend goodbye, Adair
returned on board with the information he had gained.

The calm still continued; but as a breeze might at any moment spring up,
Jack and he anxiously looked out for Jose. They were indeed in a hurry
to recommence the ascent of the river, for the longer they delayed, the
greater risk they ran of being attacked.

The sun set, and still Jose had not made his appearance. Jack was just
going below when Needham came aft. No one had showed more anxiety about
the midshipmen than he had.

"It has come into my mind, sir, that if the young gentlemen are anywhere
hereabouts they may have caught sight of the brig, and will be trying to
make their way down to the shore abreast of us. If you will give me
leave to take the jollyboat, I will pull in and have a look for them;
and even if they don't come, Jose may be wishing to get off, with any
information he has picked up, though I have no great hopes that he will
do much."

"I am afraid not either," said Jack, "but by all means take the boat and
remain as long as it continues calm. Should a breeze spring up, you
must, whether successful or not, return on board. It is my duty to
proceed up the river as fast as I can, and my anxiety to recover my
brother and Mr Desmond must not make me neglect that."

Needham found no difficulty in obtaining volu