explain more clearly than I could by letter how I am situated, and you
will not fail to inquire what has been heard about the O'Regans. After
dinner, the admiral, who spoke in the kindest way possible, said that
Macleod, who he had intended should have command of the _Supplejack_
having been invalided, as the corvette could not be refitted under three
or four months, he had appointed me in his stead, and that he intended
to transfer thirty of the corvette's crew to the brig, with any officers
I might name. Though I must consider my command but temporary, I may
possibly, he hinted, be confirmed in it."

"Congratulate you! Of course I do, and though I'm not jealous, it's
just the sort of command I should jump at," exclaimed Terence.

"I am not quite so certain; it is said that if a lieutenant is placed in
command of a small craft, he is never likely to get anything better,"
observed Jack. "However, in your case it is different, as the admiral
will look after your interests. Did he tell you how and where you are
to be employed?"

"My duty will be chiefly to look after slaves and pirates, of whom a few
occasionally appear sailing under the flags of some of the smaller South
American States; he mentioned also, that I might probably be sent to the
Spanish Main to protect British interests on that coast. My thoughts at
once, I confess, flew to Colonel O'Regan and his daughter, and the
possibility of meeting them; though I trust that they may have returned
safely to Jamaica before I can get to the coast."

"Who knows! By my faith, I should be after wishing the contrary!"
exclaimed Terence. "What a romantic incident it would be now some
morning just as day breaks, to make out away to leeward a brig which you
have no doubt is the _Sarah Jane_, with a black, rakish, wicked-looking
schooner close to, just opening fire. The brig fights bravely; she had,
I think, a couple of two or three-pounders on board, but she will to a
certainty be captured. You make all sail to her assistance, for the
pirate, supposing you to be a merchantman, doesn't up stick and run for
it--but the wind drops, you take to your boats, the black schooner has
ranged up alongside the brig, you arrive at the moment the brig's crew
have been overpowered--the colonel brought to the deck, and the
pirate-captain, a huge ugly negro, is bearing off a fair lady in his
arms. You cut him down, rescue the lady, drive the pirates overboard,
place the colonel on