elf to be a fast craft, being well able to
keep up with the frigate and corvette, so Murray considered that he
could report favourably of her to the admiral.

When within about a day's sail of Jamaica the corvette, which had
separated during the night from her consort, was again seen approaching,
with her flag halfmast high. The flags of the other two ships were
lowered in compliment, and inquiries by signal were made as to when the
melancholy event had occurred. The reply was, on the previous evening,
and that the commander's last request had been that he might be buried
on shore.

The next day the squadron came to an anchor in Port Royal harbour.

Eager as Captain Hemming knew that Murray would be to proceed to
Kingston, his first duty was to attend to the funeral of the late
commander of the corvette, which could not be delayed.

The boats of the squadron being manned, followed the _Tudor's_ barge,
which contained the coffin. On landing it was borne by a party of
seamen to the burying ground of Port Royal, where the garrison chaplain
performed the service, and the marines having fired a volley over the
grave, the party returned on board.

The ceremony being over, the flags were hoisted up, and it must be
confessed that very little more was thought of or said about poor
Commander Babbicome and his eccentricities. Captain Hemming and Murray
then proceeded up to Kingston, where they were received with warm
congratulations and highly complimented by the admiral.

"I have already sent your despatch home," he said, turning to Alick,
"and I have secured your promotion, I hope. In the meantime I intend to
give you an acting order to take command of the corvette, and I shall be
glad, Captain Hemming, to appoint any officer you can recommend to the
_Supplejack_." The captain at once named Lieutenant Rogers. "I should
have been glad to have suggested my first lieutenant, Mr Cherry, but I
am unwilling to spare him, and I believe that he would rather continue
as at present on board the frigate."

On hearing that his young cousin was wounded, the admiral at once
desired Murray to have him brought up to the Pen, if the doctor thought
he could be moved, "and you, I suspect, will not object to a day or
two's leave to enjoy a trip into the country," he added; "I shall be
happy to see you on your return."

Alick thanked the admiral, who advised him to set out forthwith, while
he invited Captain Hemming to dinner. The b