hem, as there is
still a great deal to be done before the fleet can leave the island, and
there are no officers to spare. Lord Hood mentioned the matter to me,
and I immediately thought of you. You will have nothing to do but
simply navigate the craft to Gibraltar, which, I learn, you are quite
able to do; and it will be a pleasant change for you--beneficial, too,
Malcolm says. There is only one thing I feel called upon to suggest to
you, and that is--_caution_. Recollect that you are a despatch-boat,
not a cruiser; and let _nothing_ which you can possibly avoid tempt you
to delay the delivery of the despatches or endanger their safety. You
are very young for such a trust, I know; but you seem to have as much
tact and discretion as a good many of your seniors, and I see no reason
why you should not execute the service satisfactorily. At all events I
have answered for you, and I trust you will do all you can to justify my
good opinion of you. You had better shift your traps over to the
`Vigilant' at once, and then proceed on board the admiral's ship for the
despatches and your instructions, as he is anxious for you to sail at
once."

I thanked the skipper heartily both for the thoughtfulness and
consideration which had procured for me the change of air which seemed
needed for my complete recovery, and also for the confidence in me which
such a commission argued; and I promised him most earnestly that the
safe delivery of the despatches should be my paramount care.

"That's right, Mr Chester," said he, as I rose to leave the cabin.
"Before I say good-bye, I may as well mention that I have been greatly
pleased with your conduct ever since you first joined the ship. I
consider you a most promising young officer; you have conducted yourself
extremely well on more than one trying occasion, and I have procured
this little commission for you in the hope that it will afford you still
another opportunity of acquiring credit and advancing your interests. I
wish you a quick and prosperous passage, and shall be glad to see your
safe return. And as long as you continue to conduct yourself well, you
may count upon me as a friend, willing to do all that is possible to aid
you. Now--good-bye! and take care of yourself."

So saying, he shook hands heartily with me, and then, flinging himself
back once more in his chair, he turned to a number of papers which
littered his table; while I made my way out upon deck, scarcely know