panish, to the officers of the corvette,
who replied that it was not the first time, and would not be the last,
that men had got into a scrape through a petticoat.

The Spanish captain complimented Jack on his Spanish, which was really
very good (for in two months, with nothing else in the world to do, he
had made great progress), and asked him where he had learned it.

Jack replied, "At the Zaffarine Islands."

"Zaffarine Isles," replied the Spanish captain; "they are not
inhabited."

"Plenty of ground sharks," replied Jack.

The Spanish captain thought our hero a very strange fellow, to fight
under a green silk petticoat, and to take lessons in Spanish from the
ground sharks. However, being quite as polite as Jack, he did not
contradict him, but took a huge pinch of snuff, wishing from the bottom
of his heart that the ground sharks had taken Jack before he had hoisted
that confounded green petticoat.

However, Jack was in high favour with the captain, and all the ship's
company, with the exception of his four enemies--the master, Vigors, the
boatswain, and the purser's steward. As for Mr Vigors, he had come to
his senses again, and had put his colt in his chest until Jack should
take another cruise. Little Gossett, at any insulting remark made by
Vigors, pointed to the window of the berth and grinned; and the very
recollection made Vigors turn pale, and awed him into silence.

In two days they arrived at Gibraltar--Mr Sawbridge rejoined the ship--
so did Mr Jolliffe--they remained there a fortnight, during which Jack
was permitted to be continually on shore--Mr Asper accompanied him, and
Jack drew a heavy bill to prove to his father that he was still alive.
Mr Sawbridge made our hero relate to him all his adventures, and was so
pleased with the conduct of Mesty, that he appointed him to a situation
which was particularly suited to him--that of ship's corporal. Mr
Sawbridge knew that it was an office of trust, and provided that he
could find a man fit for it, he was very indifferent about his colour.
Mesty walked and strutted about, at least three inches taller than he
was before. He was always clean, did his duty conscientiously, and
seldom used his cane.

"I think, Mr Easy," said the first lieutenant, "that as you are so
particularly fond of taking a cruise"--for Jack had told the whole
truth--"it might be as well that you improve your navigation."

"I do think myself, sir," replied Jack, with great mo