perform. I consider you, my
dear Murray, as efficient an officer as any with whom I am acquainted.
I do not know yet whether we are to be sent to the Baltic or the
Mediterranean, but we are certain to go to one or the other."

Alick placed the matter before Stella, who looked very pale, but
answered heroically, "You must do what you conceive to be your duty. I
have before advised you not to give up the service, and I must therefore
say, accept Captain Hemming's flattering offer."

"I knew that you would decide rightly," answered Murray.

"I heartily congratulate you!" exclaimed the admiral. "Deb and I will
take good care of your wife while you're away; it won't be for a long
period, I hope; and it won't be Hemming's fault if you have not some
opportunity of distinguishing yourself and gaining your post-rank. I
should like to see you all three captains before I slip my cable, which
I must expect to do before many years are over; and it will give me more
pleasure than I can well express to see you all whom I knew as
youngsters gain your well-earned promotion. You've always done your
duty, and will, I am sure, prove ornaments to our profession as long as
you remain afloat."

CHAPTER FOURTEEN.

REVIEW AT SPITHEAD--ADMIRAL TRITON'S OPINION OF STEAM-VESSELS--THE
ALLIED FLEETS IN CAVARNA BAY--JACK VISITS MURRAY ON BOARD THE BRITON--
BOMBARDMENT OF ODESSA--LOSS OF THE TIGER--JACK IN COMMAND OF THE TORNADO
RUNS INTO THE HARBOUR OF SEBASTOPOL--A VISIT TO THE GUARDS' CAMP.

"A magnificent sight! What would Nelson have done with such a fleet?"
exclaimed the admiral, as, with his eye at a telescope turned towards
Spithead, at an early hour on the morning of the 11th of March 1854, he
gazed at the fleet collected there under Sir Charles Napier. "We must
have a nearer look at them, ladies; the _Gauntlet_ goes out of harbour,
and Adair has sent his coxswain to say that his gig is waiting at the
pier. Come, Deborah; come, Mrs Murray; get on your wraps. Lucy, my
dear, you mustn't mind appearances; though the sun is bright, the wind
is still keen, and you will find it cold enough coming on shore again."

The ladies, who had already finished breakfast, were soon equipped; and
the admiral, helped by Miss Rogers and his sister, had got into his
pea-jacket, and, Lucy having tucked the ends of the comforter which
surrounded his throat well into it, he was ready, stick in hand, to
tramp across the common. Lucy's well-fitti