congratulation by his friends; but there was not much time for
compliments, as Hemming instantly went off in pursuit of the canoes.
The canoes paddled fast, but the men-of-war boats pulled just then
faster, and the negroes and their Spanish allies, finding escape
problematical, ran the canoes in on the bank, and, leaping on shore,
left them to their fate. As they were undoubtedly employed to assist,
directly or indirectly, the nefarious slave-trade, Hemming set fire to
them all with the exception of one, which he carried off as a trophy.
As it was important to get on board as soon as possible, Hemming pulled
at once back to the place where the rest of the boats, with the
prisoners and liberated slaves, had been left. They were all safe, and
by noon the next day the expedition returned once more to the ship. Sad
indeed was the loss they had to report--so many fine fellows cut down in
a nameless fight with a band of rascally pirates. The captives not only
exonerated Hemming of all blame, but assured him that they believed he
had done all that a man could do under the circumstances of the case.
Everybody on board both ships welcomed Jack, and poor Wasser was highly
delighted with the way he was received and praised for the assistance he
had afforded in rescuing him from the slave-dealers; nor did Murray and
Adair fail to get their meed of applause.

"I am much obliged to you for all what you have to say," answered Paddy,
laughing, "but I wish some of you would tell me how to wash a blackamoor
white. I have heard that it was a difficult operation. The burnt cork
would have come off by itself, but Dick Needham rubbed in the oil and
grease so hard that soap and water won't do it."

Doctor McCan, when applied to, looked rather grave, and, after he had
heard the circumstances of the case, delivered a long lecture to prove
that black powder rubbed in in that way, in such a climate, when the
pores were open, would take root and become ineradicable.

Terence saw a twinkle in the doctor's eye, which made him suspect a
quiz, and the laughter of Jack, Alick, and some of his other messmates
who stood round, confirmed this suspicion. At first he felt that he
ought to be very indignant, but his good-humour seldom kept away many
seconds together, and he quickly joined in the laugh against himself.
He then accompanied Alick into the hospital, where, in a tub with some
hot water and soap, and some alkali the doctor gave them, they