rwise
would have been the case; and as soon as the _Latona's_ sails were
furled Captain Sawbridge went on shore to acquaint the Governor with the
results of the action. He asked Jack to accompany him, but our hero,
wishing to be with Gascoigne, excused himself until the next day.

"And now, Easy," said Gascoigne, as soon as the captain had gone over
the side, "I will ask permission to go on board with you--or will you
ask?"

"I will ask," replied Jack; "a gentleman of fortune has more weight with
a first lieutenant than a midshipman."

So Jack went up to the first lieutenant, and with one of his polite bows
hoped, "if duty would permit, he would honour him by coming on board
that evening with some of his officers, to see the _Rebiera_ and to
drink a bottle or two of champagne."

The first lieutenant, as the _Rebiera_ was anchored not two cables'
lengths from him, replied, "that as soon as he had shifted the prisoners
and secured the gun-boat, he would be very glad;" so did three or four
more of the officers, and then Jack begged as a favour that his old
friend, Mr Gascoigne, might be permitted to go with him now, as he had
important packages to entrust to his care to England. The first
lieutenant was very willing, and Gascoigne and our hero jumped into the
boat, and were once more in all the confidence of tried and deserved
friendship.

"Jack, I've been thinking of it, and I've made up my mind," said
Gascoigne. "I shall gain little or nothing by going home for my
promotion: I may as well stay here, and as I have served my time and
passed, my pay is now of little consequence. Will you take me with
you?"

"It is exactly what I was thinking of, Ned. Do you think that Captain
Sawbridge will consent?"

"I do; he knows how I am circumstanced, and that my going home was
merely because I was tired of looking after the _Aurora_."

"We'll go together and ask him to-morrow," replied Jack.

"At all events, you'll have a more gentlemanly companion than Mr
Oxbelly."

"But not so steady, Ned."

The first lieutenant and officers came on board, and passed a merry
evening. There's nothing passes time more agreeably away than
champagne, and if you do not affront this regal wine by mixing him with
any other, he never punishes you next morning.

CHAPTER THIRTY NINE.

A COUNCIL OF WAR, IN WHICH JACK DECIDES THAT HE WILL HAVE ONE MORE
CRUISE.

As Captain Sawbridge did not return on board that evening, Easy went o