n
shore and called upon him at the Governor's, to whom he was introduced,
and received an invitation to dine with him. As Gascoigne could not
come on shore, our hero took this opportunity of making his request to
Captain Sawbridge, stating that the person he had with him was not such
as he wished and could confide everything to; that is, not one to whom
he could talk to about Agnes. Jack, as he found that Captain Sawbridge
did not immediately assent, pressed the matter hard; at last Captain
Sawbridge, who reflected that Gascoigne's interest hereafter would be
much greater through his friend Easy than any other quarter, and that
the more the friendship was cemented the more advantageous it might
prove to Gascoigne, gave his consent to our hero's wish, who called on
board the _Latona_ to acquaint Gascoigne and the first lieutenant of
Captain Sawbridge's intentions, and then went on board of _Rebiera_ and
ordered Mesty to come with his portmanteau on shore to the inn, that he
might dress for dinner. Gascoigne, now considered as not belonging to
the _Latona_, was permitted to accompany him; and Jack found himself
looking out of the window at which he had hung out his trousers upon the
memorable occasion when the boatswain had to follow his own precept, of
duty before decency.

"What scenes of adventure I have passed through since that," thought
Jack; "not much more than four years ago, then not three weeks in the
service." Whereupon Jack fell into a deep reverie, and thought of the
baboon and of Agnes.

The repairs of the _Latona_ were all made good by the next day, and
Gascoigne, having received his discharge-ticket, went on board the
_Rebiera_. The gun-boat was put into the hands of the agent, and
shortly afterwards purchased by Government. The _Rebiera's_ crew did
not, however, obtain their prize-money and share of the head-money, for
she had seventy men on board, until their return, but, as they did, they
had broken the ice, and that was everything. Moreover, it gave them
confidence in themselves, in their vessel, and in their commander. Our
hero weighed a short time after the _Latona_, having first taken leave
of Captain Sawbridge, and committed to his care a letter to Dr
Middleton.

Once more behold the trio together--the two midshipmen hanging over the
taffrail, and Mesty standing by them. They had rounded Europa Point,
and with a fine breeze off the land, were lying close-hauled along the
Spanish shore.