e found it. Now blaze
away, old boy." Jack pulled the trigger as he spoke, and immediately an
intensely bright bluish light burst forth above their heads, exhibiting
their countenances to each other, with their hair streaming, lank and
long, over their faces, giving them at the same time a very cadaverous
and unearthly appearance. Jack, in spite of their critical position,
burst into a fit of laughter. "Certainly, we do look as unlike two
natty quarter-deck midshipmen as could well be," he exclaimed. "Never
mind, we have not many spectators."

Jack and Murray's coolness arose from the perfect confidence they felt
that they would not be deserted while the slightest hope remained of
their being found; and now that they had set off the port-fire they were
almost as happy as if they were already safe on board. They had not
much longer to wait. Presently a hail reached them; they shouted in
return, and soon afterwards they saw a couple of boats emerging from the
darkness. One took them on board--the other towed the life-buoy; and in
half an hour more their wet clothes were off them, and they were being
stowed away between the blankets in the sick-bay, each of them sipping a
pretty strong glass of brandy and water. Of course, when the excitement
was over, a very considerable reaction took place, and several days
passed before they were allowed to return to their duty. Captain
Lascelles then sent for Jack, and inquired how he came to tumble
overboard? Jack had to confess that in his zeal he had gone beyond his
duty, and that, instead of remaining at his station in the top, he had
been attempting to do work which ought to have been performed by one of
the topmen.

"You were wrong, as you will see, Rogers," remarked Captain Lascelles.
"Remember that there is a strict line of duty, and that going beyond, as
you call it, may be quite as injurious to the service as neglecting any
portion of it. Your business was to see that the men were properly
reefing the topsail. By going out on the yard-arm you could not do
this, and were thus neglecting your duty--not going beyond it. I have
no intention of punishing you, on condition that you will recollect what
I have said."

Jack promised that he would, and thanked the captain for his lecture.
Murray got, as he deserved, a great deal of credit for his gallantry;
and he was not a little delighted to receive the gold medal, some time
afterwards, from the Humane Society. Soon