ull out my watch too, and
time them, making a note also of their mode of progress. In nine cases
out of ten I have found that I have been right. Since the idea first
occurred to me fifty at least have gone off the list."

Mrs Murray looked somewhat grave. "I had rather Alick remained a
captain than see a number of officers put aside or die to make room for
him," she answered.

"Why, my dear Mrs Murray, it's all we have to look to," answered
Terence. "We must grow old, it's certain; and we wish to become
admirals before we are laid up with the gout, or become too decrepit to
go to sea. I hear the Admiralty are taking the matter into
consideration, and intend to increase the retired list, so that we
juvenile captains may have a better chance of our flags."

Jack and Terence accompanied Murray and Stella down to the pier, where
their boat was waiting to take them off to the yacht, which lay among
several other fine craft a short distance from it. Both promised to go
on board with their wives and children the next morning.

"Have you got Ben Snatchblock as master?" asked Jack.

"No, no," said Murray, laughing. "He modestly declined taking so
responsible a charge, and I thought he was right, so he has subsided
into the more retiring character of boatswain or second mate. I brought
the craft round myself, but I intend to look out for a Cowes man as
first mate and pilot, as I wish to have no anxieties, and be able to
send the vessel anywhere I wish, without going in her. I propose
engaging a couple of good men as master and mate, if they are to be
found at this season of the year. Most of the well-known men are, of
course, already engaged."

Next morning Jack and Terence, with their belongings, went down to the
pier, where the _Stella's_ boat, with the young Alick, was waiting to
receive them with oars in the air. Young Alick gave the word to shove
off in a very officer-like way, and the blades dropping flat on the
water, scarcely making a splash, the boat with rapid strokes was pulled
alongside the yacht. Even to Jack's critical eye she was as neat and
trim as any craft could be, and, moreover, a thoroughly comfortable,
wholesome vessel, as are most of the Scotch yachts.

Captain Murray stood in the gangway to hand in his guests, who were soon
seated in easy camp chairs, on cloaks and cushions round the skylight.
The anchor was hove up. The vessel's head, under her jib and foresail,
payed round before a l