es. When once they were able to use their tongues, they had
very little rest, for every one was eager to know what they had done and
seen, and it must be acknowledged that sometimes they were inclined to
indulge their hearers with travellers' tales.

By the time they reached Sydney they were well enough to come on deck
and have a look at the magnificent scenery of that superb harbour.

Of their stay there, although full of interest to themselves, but a
brief account alone can be given. They were received in the kindest way
by the inhabitants, and spent some weeks at the house of an old friend
of the Rogers' family.

Their friends, Mr and Mrs Calvert, had several daughters, who
contributed not a little to make their stay agreeable. On their first
arrival the young gentlemen were compelled to keep their rooms, as it
was considered that they had not sufficiently recovered to bear the
excitement of society. They were not allowed to starve, however. A
handsome repast had been sent up to them, and they were pledging each
other in glasses of light Australian wine, which they found very
refreshing, when the two captains entered the room.

"I congratulate you," said Jack, as he handed two official-looking
letters, the one to Tom and the other to Desmond, respectively addressed
Lieutenant Thomas Rogers and Lieutenant Gerald Desmond.

The envelopes contained their commissions.

"Those papers, I suspect, will do more to set you up than anything
else," said Jack.

"Indeed they will, although they have been long enough in coming,"
answered Tom.

"Faith! I could get up and dance a jig forthwith," exclaimed Desmond.

"You'd better not, in case the ladies should arrive to congratulate
you," observed his uncle.

"Is there no letter for me? I wonder when I shall get promoted!" asked
Billy from his corner of the room.

"All in good time," answered Jack. "Perhaps you will have an
opportunity before long of doing something to distinguish yourself."

Next morning the two lieutenants and Billy were able to come downstairs.
Their promotion had had a wonderful effect on Tom and Desmond, who
talked and joked at a great rate with their fair hostesses. As might be
supposed, the young lieutenants lost their hearts, and even Billy
Blueblazes, though still a midshipman, became more sentimental than he
was ever before known to have been, the most juvenile of the ladies
being the object of his adoration. A copy of verses, which h