fast craft, which was of the most
consequence. Though rated as a six-gun brig she carried only two
carronades, and a third long heavy gun amidships, which they agreed,
under some circumstances, would be of more avail than the four short
guns it had replaced. Terence advised Alick to ask for two more
carronades.

"I might not get them if I did ask, so I will make good use, if I have
the chance, of those on board," was the answer.

Captain Hemming had been requested to spare Murray five hands from the
frigate. He chose Ben Snatchblock, the boatswain's-mate, to act as
boatswain, a great promotion for Ben, and four others; these, with a
dozen hands before belonging to the brig, the rest having died of yellow
fever, sent home invalided, or deserted, made up his complement. He had
applied for, and obtained old Higson, a former shipmate who had so taken
to heart the loss of the three midshipmen that he was anxious for more
stirring employment than he could find on board the frigate, likely to
be detained for some time at Jamaica, or not to go much farther than
Cuba. The other officers were selected from the corvette. The old mate
was highly pleased. He had the duty of a first lieutenant, and was one
in all respects, except in name, though not to be sure over a very large
ship's company. Hard drinker and careless as he had been sometimes on
shore, Murray knew that he could trust him thoroughly when
responsibility was thrown on his shoulders, and hoped that by being
raised in his own estimation he might altogether be weaned of his bad
habits.

Jack and Terence sailed up to Kingston with a fresh sea breeze a-beam
blowing over the sandy shore of the Palisades.

"Take care you don't capsize us," said Jack to the black skipper, who
carried on till the boat's gunwale was almost under water.

"Neber tink I do dat, massa leetenant. Not pleasant place to take
swim," answered the man, with a broad grin on his ebon features, showing
his white teeth.

"I think not, indeed," exclaimed Terence. "Look there."

He pointed to a huge shark, its triangular fin just above the surface,
keeping two or three fathoms off, even with the boat, at which the
monster every now and then, as he declared, gave a wicked leer.

"What do you call that fellow?"

"Dat, massa, dat is Port Royal Jack," answered the negro. "He keep
watch ober de harbour--case buckra sailors swim ashore. He no come up
much fader when he find out we boat from de