shall be free of that
Lord Reginald and Toady Voules," said Dick. "They have been as bad as
ever lately; one sets on the other. Voules knows that the third
lieutenant hates me, and so, to curry favour with him, he loses no
chance of bullying me. I have kept out of trouble as yet, but I don't
know how long I shall be able to do so."

"But what if the toady be sent with us? He is on board now, and may be
appointed to do duty as first lieutenant," remarked Ben.

"I shouldn't mind him alone," answered Dick. "When he hasn't his master
to hound him on, he'll let me alone. He does it to please the other,
and when Lord Reginald's eye is off him, he won't bother himself about
me."

As may be supposed, Ben and Dick had very little time for conversation.
They were speedily called to trim sails, and the scanty crew of the
prize, beginning to get weary from their constant exertions, were
looking out for the frigate to heave to, a sign that the boats were
about to return. She waited, however, until daylight broke, when once
more, having gathered the convoy together, she hove to, and the prize
coming up, doing the same, the boats were soon alongside.

"I say, Ben," said Dick, as they approached, "it is my belief that Lord
Reginald is to have command, for there he sits, with his dog by his
side, and a big portmanteau between his knees. I'd sooner be out of
this craft than in her. I hope we shall be sent on board the frigate
again."

Dick was right. Lord Reginald, his dog and portmanteau, were soon on
board. He presented some papers to Mr Jager, who replied--

"Very well, I congratulate you on having so fine a command, and I
confess that I wish I had been able to take charge of the prize, but as
the doctor considers me unfit to be away from him, I must submit. Who
are to form the prize crew?"

"Voules and Lucas, the men on board, as well as the men I brought with
me," answered Lord Reginald. "They'll do very well, and, as we are
rather short-handed, no more could be spared from the frigate."

"Then all I have to do is to wish you good-bye and a pleasant cruise.
It's fortunate we had not to fire into her, or the vessel must have gone
into harbour to refit. Now she's as well able to keep the sea as she
ever was."

"I hope her late master was a man of taste, and has some good curry and
plenty of cuddy stores," said the young lord, laughing; "and I say,
Jager, I wish you'd ask the captain to send me back the French