account of our proceedings, if the Czar ventures to go to war," observed
Adair; "we may at least expect to take Sweaborg, Helsingfors, and
Cronstadt, and perhaps lay Saint Petersburg itself under contribution."

"If Sir Charles is at all like what he was a few years ago, I hope you
may," answered the admiral; "but though Charley is some years my junior,
I should have declined ten years ago accepting such a command. He may
be tough enough, but the sort of work he has to do wants nerve, and
that, as a man advances in life, is apt to slacken."

Still, notwithstanding Admiral Triton, the prognostications of Adair
were shared in by all in the fleet, as well as by the nation at large,
and grand results were expected. The admiral had engaged one of the
steamers plying between Ryde and Portsmouth to come alongside and take
his party on shore. Poor Lucy, it was very trying to her, though Mrs
Murray from experience could give her heartfelt sympathy. Alick had
already sailed for the Black Sea, and Jack some weeks previously had
proceeded in the same direction.

We will make our way on board the _Tornado_. She had a quick passage
under sail and steam to Malta, where she lay taking in a fresh supply of
coals, and thence proceeded on through the Aegean Sea up the Bosphorus.
Jack recognised with no small amount of pleasure many of the islands he
had visited as a youngster; he had then thought them very beautiful, and
he acknowledged that they were so still, though the proportions of the
scenery appeared lessened in his eyes after the grander features of the
West Indies and South America.

Tom and Desmond were inclined to turn up their noses at them, not having
any great respect for the surrounding classical associations. "Very
pretty hills to adorn the surface of a moderate-sized lake," observed
Tom, "but Trinidad and Jamaica completely take the shine out of them."
Higson, whom Jack had obtained as his first lieutenant, was much of the
same opinion. Mildmay, who had been appointed by the Admiralty, not
having seen the West Indies, was in raptures, and, with notebook in
hand, stood dotting down the lines inspired by his muse. Jos Green, the
master, suggested that he would be better employed in making outlines of
the headlands and other prominent features of the land.

"Very well for you, master, who have to navigate the ship, but we are
above such grovelling notions," answered Mildmay; "you have nothing
Byronic in your com