ing taken to sleeping in a hammock
under bedclothes, and learned to drink tea in a teacup, when he was lost
at sea in a gale of wind rounding the Cape. Tom tried to write a poem
to his memory, but broke down, declaring that his feelings overcame him;
though in truth he couldn't manage to make even the two first lines
rhyme, so that that might have had something to do in the matter."

While Gerald was rattling on, Archie produced the letter-bag, which he
had hitherto forgotten to give to Commander Murray. It contained
several letters for him, as also others forwarded by his navy agent to
Lieutenant Adair. Among them were two long, official-looking
despatches, with the words, "On Her Majesty's Service," printed outside.
Murray looked somewhat grave as he read his; at the same time, an
expression arising from gratified pride appeared on his countenance.

Terence tore his letter open. "They don't intend to let me rest on
shore, at all events. I expected to have my promotion, however; but
instead, their lordships send me off to sea again. I am appointed to
the _Opal_, just commissioned at Portsmouth, as first lieutenant. I
ought to be highly flattered; and, Desmond, my boy, you are to go with
me."

"The best thing that could happen to you; I congratulate you," said the
admiral. "And what news does your despatch contain?" he continued, to
Murray. Without answering, Alick put the letter into the admiral's
hands, and, taking his wife's arm, led her into the garden, where they
were concealed from sight by the shrubbery.

"It will be a blow to her," said the admiral, as he glanced over the
official document; "still it is flattering to Murray, and, unless he has
resolved to give up the service altogether, I could not wish him better
luck. You and your old shipmate are not to be parted, Adair. He is
appointed to the command of the _Opal_, and I have a notion that she
will be stationed at the Cape, and probably sent to the East Coast of
Africa, where there is work to be done, and prize-money to be picked up,
not to be got every day in these piping times of peace. It is no easy
matter, however, to catch those slippery Arab slavers, so you mustn't
count your hens before they are hatched. Still, the _Opal_ is a fast
craft, and if any man can do what is to be done, Murray will do it."

"At all events, I am delighted to hear that I am to serve with him. I
was anxious to be off to sea as soon as possible, and it makes am