l of them
recovered. We have before stated how disfigured the countenance of poor
Mr Jolliffe had been by the smallpox--so severely was it burned that
the whole of the countenance came off in three weeks like a mask, and
every one declared that, seamed as it still was, Mr Jolliffe was better
looking than he was before. It may be as well here to state that Mr
Jolliffe not only obtained his promotion, but a pension for his wounds,
and retired from the service. He was still very plain, but as it was
known that he had been blown up, the loss of his eye as well as the
scars on his face were all put down to the same accident, and he excited
interest as a gallant and maimed officer. He married, and lived
contented and happy to a good old age.

The _Harpy_ proceeded with her prize to Mahon. Jack, as usual, obtained
a great deal of credit; whether he deserved it, or whether, as Gascoigne
observed, he always fell upon his feet, the reader may decide from our
narrative; perhaps there was a little of both. The seamen of the
_Harpy_, if summoned in a hurry, used very often to reply, "Stop a
minute, I've got a bite"--as for Jack, he often said to himself, "I have
a famous good yarn for the Governor."

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE.

JACK GOES ON ANOTHER CRUISE--LOVE AND DIPLOMACY--JACK PROVES HIMSELF TOO
CLEVER FOR THREE, AND UPSETS ALL THE ARRANGEMENTS OF THE HIGH
CONTRACTING POWERS.

A few days after the arrival of the _Harpy_ at Port Mahon, a Cutter came
in with despatches from the admiral. Captain Wilson found that he was
posted into the _Aurora_ frigate, in which a vacancy had been made by
the result of our hero's transgressions.

Mr Sawbridge was raised to the rank of commander, and appointed to the
command of the _Harpy_. The admiral informed Captain Wilson that he
must detain the _Aurora_ until the arrival of another frigate, hourly
expected, and then she would be sent down to Mahon for him to take the
command of her. Further, he intimated that a supply of live bullocks
would be very agreeable, and begged that he would send to Tetuan
immediately.

Captain Wilson had lost so many officers that he knew not whom to send:
indeed, now he was no longer in command of the _Harpy_, and there was
but one lieutenant, and no master or master's mate. Gascoigne and Jack
were the only two serviceable midshipmen, and he was afraid to trust
them on any expedition in which expedition was required.

"What shall we do, Sawbridge? s