see you up at the Penn
immediately."

"I wish he didn't, though," I thought to myself. "Couldn't he let a
poor careworn wretch have a few hours' quiet sleep after knocking about
for so many weeks at sea, and having been in the clutches of Yellow
Jack?" I didn't say this, though.

"Very well," I answered, jumping up and putting on my coat with a yawn
which nearly gave me the lock-jaw. "I'll be up there forthwith."

The Penn, it must be understood, is the name given to the residence
usually occupied by the head commander-in-chief on the station. It is
beautifully situated on an elevated spot above the city of Kingston,
overlooking the noble harbour of Port Royal.

Ordering a boat to be manned, I pulled on shore, and climbed up to the
Penn.

"I'm glad to see you back, Hurry," said Sir Peter kindly. "I know your
zeal for the service, and I have more work for you. You know of the war
with France. I must send you off at once to sea in quest of the
cruising ships to give them notice of the event, and to direct them
forthwith to return into port. In the first place you will look out for
the `Druid' at the east end of the island, and give her notice of the
war, and then you will proceed to the Saint Domingo coast, where you
will find, probably, the greater number of merchantmen. How soon can
you be ready?"

Of course I replied, "At once," wondering what craft I was to go in.

"Very well," said Sir Peter; "I expected as much of you. You will take
command of the `Dolphin' schooner. She is now in the harbour. I am not
quite certain in what condition you will find her. However, there is no
other disposable craft. Fit her for sea as fast as possible. Take
three or four hands with you; I cannot spare you more. Let your two
followers you spoke to me about, be of the number. Here is an order by
which you can obtain all the aid you require from the dockyard people
and others. Good-bye; I hope to see you back shortly."

With these words I parted from the admiral. It was now three o'clock in
the morning. Hurrying on board the flag-ship, I got hold of Grampus and
Rockets with their bags, and accompanied by them and a couple of more
hands and a boy, I called for my own traps and bedding on board the
Camel, and then went alongside the Dolphin tender. She looked certainly
in a very hopeless condition. She had her lower-masts standing, but was
entirely unrigged, without stores or sails, or even ballast on board,