to refuse a
passage to my beloved husband and my delicate daughters, when the
request has been made to you? For myself, I care not; I can march
wherever the regiment can go. I did not expect this from you; and I'd
have you know that I do not consider your conduct worthy of an officer
and a gentleman."

"Madam!" again ejaculated Jack, "I must not submit to such language,
even from a lady. I have simply to perform my duty, which is to land
Major Bubsby and his family. If he will not go, I should be sorry to
have to hoist him and you over the side; but I intend to do so."

Mrs Bubsby plucked off her gloves. Jack looked at her hands; her nails
were long, but the captain of a man-of-war was not likely to be
assaulted on the deck of his own ship, even by a lady. Still Jack could
not tell what might be the irate dame's intention.

The fair Angelica cast a glance at Lieutenant Blewitt, who was standing
at the gangway, hoping heartily to have the honour of handing her and
her sister down the accommodation ladder, and of uttering a last
farewell, but he averted his eyes when he saw those of his charmer fixed
on him. The major now began to be seriously alarmed that his wife, of
whose temper he had full experience, might proceed to extremities, and
that it would be better to face the scorn of his officers and the
assegais of the Caffres than be ignominiously tumbled over the side.

"Come, come, my beloved! Captain Rogers knows his duty. He fulfils it
sternly, I must say; but still we must obey; so march!" In the mean
time Archie Gordon, having received directions from Jack, was seeing the
light baggage of the major conveyed to the boat. He sent Alick to say
that all was ready. The major saw that there was no excuse for further
delay.

"Farewell, Captain Rogers," he said, lifting his hat. "Farewell,
gentlemen. You see a doomed man!" and he marched to the gangway.

"Oh, cruel! cruel!" uttered Mrs Bubsby, an exclamation repeated by
Eugenia and Angelica.

"Give her another copy of verses," whispered Tom to Billy, "or repeat
those I wrote for you."

"I forget them, or I would," said Billy.

"Good-bye, Miss Angelica," he added, as the young lady passed him with
an averted countenance, not deigning a reply. The major descended into
the boat. He would have been in a still greater hurry to be off had he
not known what he was to expect on landing. He had some thoughts of
throwing himself overboard; but the fin of