vered her senses, but had been so much
frightened that she had remained in the posture in which Jack had put
her.

As soon as she was out, Jack descended from the coach-box and entered
the house. He stated to the young lady what had taken place, and how
opportunely he had frightened away the robbers, just as they were about
to murder her relation; and also suggested the propriety of sending
after the servants who had fallen in the attack, which was immediately
done by a strong and well-armed party collected for the occasion. Jack,
having made his speech, made a very polite bow and took his leave,
stating that he was an English officer belonging to a frigate in the
harbour. He knew his way back, and in half an hour was again at the
inn, and found his comrades. Jack thought it advisable to keep his own
secret, and therefore merely said that he had taken a long walk in the
country; and soon afterwards went to bed.

The next morning our hero, who was always a man of his word, packed up
his portmanteau, and paid his bill. He had just completed this heavy
operation, when somebody wanted to speak to him, and a sort of
half-clerical, half-legal sort of looking gentleman was introduced, who,
with a starched face and prim air, said that he came to request in
writing the name of the officer who was dressed as a devil in the
masquerade of the night before.

Jack looked at his interrogator, and thought of the priests and the
inquisition. "No, no," thought he, "that won't do; a name I must give,
but it shall be one that you dare not meddle with. A midshipman you
might get hold of, but it's more than the whole island dare to touch a
post-captain of one of his Majesty's frigates." So Jack took the paper
and wrote Captain Henry Wilson, of his Majesty's ship _Aurora_.

The prim man made a prim bow, folded up the paper, and left the room.

Jack threw the waiter half a doubloon, lighted his cigar, and went on
board.

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE.

IN WHICH THE OLD PROVERB IS ILLUSTRATED, "THAT YOU MUST NOT COUNT YOUR
CHICKENS BEFORE THEY ARE HATCHED."

The first lieutenant of the _Aurora_ was a very good officer in many
respects, but, as a midshipman, he had contracted the habit of putting
his hands in his pockets, and could never keep them out, even when the
ship was in a gale of wind; and hands are of some use in a heavy lurch.
He had more than once received serious injury from falling on these
occasions, but habit was too p