"

"Who was he, father?"

"He was a military man in the days of Queen Anne. He performed
extraordinary feats of bravery in Spain, and in many other respects his
character bore a strong resemblance to that of Lord Cochrane. Well,
Stephen, we had better lose no time, and I propose that we go up to town
again to-morrow morning. No doubt he would like to see you, and there is
nothing like settling the thing finally; and one interview is worth a
dozen letters. Let me see." Mr. Embleton consulted the sailing-list. "As
there is no boat sailing to-morrow, we will take the coach. It would be
better anyhow, for there is never any saying with certainty when the
packets will arrive. With a strong southerly wind they may do it in two
tides, though it is only once in a hundred times that they manage it;
still, even three tides would be very fair. But we could not risk the
chances, and it is a duty to let Lord Cochrane know as early as possible,
as no doubt he has many applications, and would be glad to be able to say
that the matter was finally settled."

They arrived in town the next evening and called upon Lord Cochrane the
first thing after breakfast next day. On Mr. Embleton sending in his name
he was at once admitted.

"I am heartily glad to see you, old friend," Lord Cochrane said as he rose
from the table, at which he was writing. "So this is your boy! His
appearance saves me asking questions. When did he get back?"

"He arrived in town on Monday evening, came down on Tuesday to Dover, and
returned here with me last night."

"You have indeed lost no time. Well, young sir, what do you think of going
out with me?"

"I should like it above everything, my lord, and I am deeply grateful to
you for offering me the post."

"It is to your father, lad, that you should be grateful, and not to me,
for he earned it for you. So you have had eighteen months in the eastern
seas?"

"Yes, sir."

"A very good school, I should say, Embleton; one has to keep one's eyes
open there."

"Yes indeed. He told me on the way up yesterday of an adventure he had had
with the Malays, and as only three out of a boat-load of nine escaped, it
must have been a pretty sharp business."

"If only three escaped it must have been sharp indeed," Lord Cochrane
said, "and they must have had marvellous luck in getting out of the
Malays' hands. He shall tell me all about it on our voyage out. Now, come
along with me."

He led the way to the dining-room,