pleasure, therefore, in giving you an acting order as Third
Lieutenant of the _Plantagenet_; and I have no doubt that when the
affair is known at the Admiralty, it will be confirmed; and I can
congratulate you on the step, which has been entirely gained by your own
merits."

Higson felt his heart jump nearly into his mouth; for often before as he
had expected promotion he had been disappointed, and he had almost given
up hopes of obtaining it.

He thanked the admiral warmly. "Say no more about it, mon," he
answered. "I wish that I could reward every one on board the
_Supplejack_ as they deserved. You may possibly before long have an
opportunity of distinguishing yourself, and I am very sure that I shall
hear a good account of you."

Captain Hemming soon afterwards went up to the Pen, when he received
fresh instruction as to his course of proceeding. Instead of going
direct to Nicaragua as he had before been ordered to do, he was to touch
Carthagena to settle the affair of the capture of the Carthagenan fleet,
and the recapture of the merchantman; it being considered that a visit
of two or three ships of war might somewhat assist in bringing the
diplomatic part of the transaction to a satisfactory conclusion.

When the midshipmen went to wish goodbye to Stella, she had a letter for
Murray, which she entrusted to Archy Gordon. "You may depend on me for
delivering it safely; for I should otherwise never be able to look my
cousin in the face," he answered.

After an early dinner the admiral dismissed them. Higson wished to get
several things in Kingston before they returned on board; he had also to
deliver over the brig to the agent, who had to find a fresh crew in lieu
of the men-of-war's men, and some of the others who volunteered for the
frigate. It was thus past midnight when they got on board.

Higson received the hearty congratulation of his old messmates as well
as those of the midshipmen whose berth he was leaving.

"Pardon me, Mr Higson, I'm right glad that you've got this step,"
exclaimed Dick Needham, "you deserve it, that you do; though it's not
always those who are most deserving that gets their due."

By daybreak next morning the _Plantagenet_ and _Tudor_ sailed with the
land breeze for the southward. About the usual length of time was
occupied in the run across the Caribbean Sea to Carthagena. The
_Plantagenet_ hove-to outside, while Captain Hemming went on board the
_Tudor_, which stood in