y command, and I
do not find my stay here as pleasant as I should wish."

Billy Blueblazes, who was standing behind the captain, observed Miss
Angelica casting loving glances towards him. "Heaven forbid that the
captain should grant the major's request," he said to himself.

He need have had no fear on that score. Jack as politely as possible
declined, and did not even invite the major and the Misses Bubsby below.

"You must understand, Major Bubsby, that I have the officers and part of
the ship's company of the _Empress_ to carry home, so that we have not
an inch to spare. I cannot turn them out of the only berths I have to
offer, and you and your daughters would not like to sling up your
hammocks on the lower deck."

"I did not expect this of you, Captain Rogers," said the major, an angry
frown gathering on his brow.

"Hard-hearted man!" murmured Miss Angelica.

But Jack was deaf to all they could say, and felt very much inclined to
order the master-at-arms to escort his visitors, _nolens volens_, down
the side. They at last made a virtue of necessity, and returned to
their boat.

Billy heaved a sigh of relief as he watched them pulling towards the
shore. It was the last he or his captain ever saw or heard of Major
Bubsby and his daughters, the major's name disappearing soon afterwards
from the army list. Lord Saint Maur, of course, went home in the
_Bellona_. He was accompanied by Rip and Snarley, the former begging
that he might enter his service as valet. Old England was reached at
last, when Captain Rogers made the pleasing discovery that he had become
an admiral by seniority.

In a very short time, telegrams having conveyed the joyful intelligence
of the arrival of the ship with Captain Adair and Lord Saint Maur on
board, Julia and Lucy, the former accompanied by her fair daughters,
arrived at Southsea, which had so often before witnessed their grievous
partings and happy meetings. This, as may be supposed, was one of the
happiest. Captain Adair was honourably acquitted for the loss of the
_Empress_. Though he did not again obtain a ship, he accompanied the
expedition to Coomassie, and took an active part in an exploit which
redounded so greatly to the honour of the troops, blue-jackets, and
marines engaged in it, as well as to that of its noble leader, proving
what stern discipline and courage can effect, even in the most
pestiferous of climates and against hosts of brave foes.

Lord Saint