lves. At length we were far enough to
windward to fetch clear of everything upon the other tack with ease, and
we accordingly went about, the "Astarte" tacking at the same time. She
edged down to within speaking distance of us shortly afterwards, and
Captain Annesley hailed to say that--as we had fully expected--he
intended to shape a course back to Barbadoes, and wished us to make
every effort to keep together. After breakfast we had a little friendly
trial of speed, when it was found that the "Astarte" could just spare us
her fore and mizzen topgallant sails.

At two p.m. on the following day we both anchored in Carlisle Bay, and
were very pleased to see that Vining and Carter were also safely there.

Our skipper got very great credit for this exploit of ours, as indeed we
all did; and I may as well here state that the participators in it
eventually received the naval medal.

The "Artemise" was purchased into the British navy, under the same name,
and the command of her given to Mr Flinn. Mr Woods was raised to the
rank of first lieutenant, and Mr Vining also moved a step up the
ratlines, leaving a vacancy for a third lieutenant, which our skipper
most kindly filled up by giving me an acting order.

As the "Astarte" had received a considerable amount of damage to her
hull from the double-shotted broadside of the "Artemise," fired at such
exceedingly close range, she was placed alongside the dockyard jetty for
repairs, and it was not until next day that I had an opportunity to take
a run ashore and make inquiries respecting little Fisher. The skipper
and I went together, and, to our very great gratification, found that
the poor boy, thanks to the assiduous nursing he had received, was doing
marvellously well. His wounds were healing in the most satisfactory
manner, and he had so far recovered his strength that at the time of our
visit he was daily expecting to receive the doctor's permission to sit
up in bed for an hour or so. It was exceedingly doubtful, however,
whether the poor lad would ever again have much use of his right arm,
and in that case his prospects, as far as the navy was concerned at
least, were at an end for ever.

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN.

THE LOSS OF THE "JUANITA."

A fortnight was very pleasantly spent by us at the island, during the
progress of the repairs, the good people of Bridgetown vieing with each
other in their efforts for our amusement, a ball also upon a very grand
scale be