ter in the hold was sensibly decreased, the corvette in
consequence towing the lighter. Poor Commander Babbicome, who looked as
unhappy as a man could do, went to his cabin; and even Murray, with most
of the officers, was glad to turn in and leave the ship in charge of
Adair and Fligson. Happily the wind remained fair and moderate, and in
three days the frigate and her battered consort came safely to an anchor
in the magnificent harbour of Port Royal. Their arrival was officially
notified to the admiral, living at the Pen above Kingston, and he,
shortly after coming down in his barge, having inspected the ships,
ordered the corvette into dock to be repaired, while he gave a gentle
hint to Commander Babbicome that, as he was not a good subject for
resisting an attack of yellow fever, it would be wise in him to return
by the first opportunity to England.

CHAPTER NINE.

JAMAICA--MURRAY APPOINTED TO THE SUPPLEJACK BRIG--PULL UP TO KINGSTON--
PORT ROYAL JACK--JOHNNY FERONG'S STORE--VISIT TO THE BRADSHAWS--KIND
RECEPTION--RETURN--THE SUPPLEJACK SAILS FOR THE SOUTHWARD.

Jamaica, a hundred and sixty miles long, by forty-five broad, is, as
everybody knows, a very magnificent island; but, alas! its ancient glory
has departed for a time, though it is to be hoped that one of the many
panaceas proposed for its renovation may, ere long, restore it to its
pristine state of prosperity. Port Royal, or Kingston Harbour, capable
of holding a thousand tall ships, lies on its southern side, towards its
eastern end. The harbour has for its sea boundary a low, narrow, sandy
strip of land, several miles in length, called the Palisades, running
from the east towards the west; at which end is seen the town of Port
Royal standing a few feet above the water, and looking complacently down
on its predecessor, buried eight fathoms below the surface by the
earthquake of 1692. Here, too, is the Royal Naval Yard, hospital,
barracks, and the works of Fort Charles defending the entrance, which is
rendered still more difficult of access to an enemy by the Apostles'
Battery erected on the opposite side, with a fine range of mountains
rising directly above it. Kingston, that not over delectable of
sea-ports, stands on the northern shore of the harbour towards its
eastern end, and is thus a considerable distance from Port Royal; the
only communication between the two places being by water, except by a
circuitous route along the burning sands of