ursing and swearing because the sailors and the officers and
all was found in readiness to receive them, it somehow came to my mind
as that you was at the bottom of it--though how, I could not for the
life of me make out, for I knew you had gone below when I did."

"I wish, sergeant, that when you are examined, as you will be about this
affair, you will ask Captain Curtis to ask the colonel not to let it
be known publicly that it was I who warned him, for my life would
be unbearable among the men if they knew it. And if it didn't happen
before, it would be certain that the first time we went into action I
should get a bullet in my back."

"You are right there, my lad. I will tell the captain. You may be sure
your conduct won't be overlooked; but at present, as you say, the less
said about it the better."

An hour after Colonel Clifford had gone on board the flagship the boat
returned with orders that Private Stilwell, of D Company, was to go back
with them. The order was given to Captain Curtis, who sent first for
Sergeant Edwards.

"Go forward, sergeant, and tell Stilwell that he is to go on board the
flagship. No doubt the colonel has spoken to the general. Tell the lad
apart, and let him make his way aft here to the gangway quietly, so that
he won't be noticed. If any of the men happen to see him going off in
the boat, they may suppose that the colonel has only sent for some man
who can write; and naturally if the captain had ordered me to choose a
man, I should have picked him out."

On reaching the deck of the flagship Jack was conducted to the admiral's
cabin. At the head of the table was seated a man whom Jack recognized
at once, from the description he had heard of him, as the Earl of
Peterborough. He was small and very spare in person, his features were
pleasant, his nose somewhat prominent, his eye lively and penetrating.
He had laid aside the immense wig which, in accordance with the custom,
he wore when abroad or at court in England; and Jack saw his hair, which
was light brown and somewhat scanty. The admiral of the fleet sat next
to him; for although Peterborough had the command of the expedition
both at land and sea, an admiral was in command of the fleet under him.
Colonel Clifford was seated on the earl's left, and several other naval
and military officers were at the table.

"Well, young man," Peterborough said, "Colonel Clifford has been telling
us that it is due to you that I have not a regimen