t
is your wish that I should go to the topmast, or the top-gallant
cross-trees."

"To the top-gallant cross-trees, Mr Easy," replied the captain.

Jack ascended, taking it very easy: he stopped at the main-top for
breath; at the main-topmast head, to look about him; and, at last,
gained the spot agreed upon, where he seated himself, and, taking out
the articles of war, commenced them again, to ascertain whether he could
not have strengthened his arguments. He had not, however, read through
the seventh article before the hands were turned up--"up anchor!" and
Mr Sawbridge called, "All hands down from aloft!" Jack took the hint,
folded up his documents, and came down as leisurely as he went up. Jack
was a much better philosopher than his father.

The _Harpy_ was soon under way, and made all sail, steering for Cape de
Gatte, where Captain Wilson hoped to pick up a Spanish vessel or two, on
his way to Toulon to receive the orders of the admiral.

A succession of light breezes and calms rendered the passage very
tedious; but the boats were constantly out, chasing the vessels along
shore, and Jack usually asked to be employed on this service: indeed,
although so short a time afloat, he was, from his age and strength, one
of the most effective midshipmen, and to be trusted, provided a whim did
not come into his head; but hitherto Jack had always been under orders,
and had always acquitted himself very well.

When the _Harpy_ was off Tarragona, it so happened that there were
several cases of dysentery in the ship, and Mr Asper and Mr Jolliffe
were two of those who were suffering. This reduced the number of
officers; and, at the same time, they had received information from the
men of a fishing-boat, who, to obtain their own release, had given the
intelligence, that a small convoy was coming down from Rosas as soon as
the wind was fair, under the protection of two gun-boats.

Captain Wilson kept well off-shore until the wind changed, and then,
allowing for the time that the vessels would take to run down the
distance between Tarragona and Rosas, steered in the night, to intercept
them; but it again fell calm, and the boats were therefore hoisted out,
with directions to proceed along the shore, as it was supposed that the
vessels could not now be far distant. Mr Sawbridge had the command of
the expedition in the pinnace; the first cutter was in charge of the
gunner, Mr Minus; and, as the other officers were sick, Mr Sa