a few minutes till the
orders arrive; and I will in the mean time glance my eye over a paper I
have to read."

Captain Fleetwood threw himself back in his seat, and covered his eyes
with his hands. The old governor, who had purposely been more
circumvolute even than usual, in order not too suddenly to shock his
feelings, looked up at him with a kind expression, which showed that he
truly entered into his wretchedness.

"I have been considering, sir," said Fleetwood, suddenly looking up,
"what clue can be found of the pirates' places of retreat; for, if they
did not destroy those on board the _Zodiac_, I feel sure that they will
have carried them off."

"Ah! that is the proper spirit with which to meet a misfortune,"
exclaimed the governor, rising and placing his hand on Fleetwood's
shoulder. "Look it in the face, and think how you can best overcome it.
You deserve to succeed--and you will succeed, mon, I am sure. Well, as
to the clue, that is an important consideration, which must be thought
of."

Captain Fleetwood remained some time longer in consultation with the
governor. His orders, which had been sent up to the palace, were handed
to him, and with them in his pocket he hurried on board.

"Mr Saltwell," he said, as he ascended the side, "hoist the blue-peter,
and take every means of getting all hands on board. We sail to-night
for the Levant. I shall be happy to see you as soon as convenient in
the cabin."

"Ay, ay, sir," mechanically answered the first lieutenant, who, as he
looked at his commander, at first thought that he had gone out of his
mind; but he soon saw that something extraordinary had happened to cause
this sudden change in their destination, and without stopping further to
consider what it was, he took the necessary steps to obey the orders he
had received. The announcement, as might have been expected, created,
at first, no little dissatisfaction and disappointment throughout the
ship, but that was before any one was aware of the reasons of the
change. Mr Togle was the first of the midshipmen to hear the news, and
down he rushed into the berth, where most of his messmates were
collected.

"You've lost your bet, Jemmy," he exclaimed, giving Duff a slap on the
shoulder. "Instead of going to England we're bound for the Levant, old
fellow; so fork out. You betted a dinner at the Star, didn't you?"

"Well, suppose I believed your humbug," answered Duff, "I'm ready to
give you a dinne