to Desmond; "the first
lieutenant and Tom are spooney on the young ladies; it is my belief that
they expect to marry them some day. The colonel and his wife seem to
have taken a great fancy to Higson."

"Oh, oh!" said Jack; "that makes it doubly important to keep them out of
harm's way."

In vain the young ladies again and again pleaded, supported by their
mamma and the colonel; Jack was inexorable. The remains of the waggons
burnt on the banks of the river having been cleared away, the colonel's
carriage was escorted to the ferry-boat, which conveyed it across to the
opposite bank. Here, however, so many more waggons had been destroyed
that some time was spent before it could proceed. Higson and the
midshipmen now got leave to pay their farewells to the ladies. Ivanowna
could with difficulty restrain her feelings, as the gallant lieutenant
approached to shake hands; and Archie declared to Desmond that he heard
him vowing unalterable affection, and making a promise that as soon as
the war was over he would come back and marry her, with her parents'
permission.

The more impulsive Feodorowna threw her arms round Tom's neck and kissed
him on both cheeks. He, in return, made the same promise as his
lieutenant, with a proviso that he should obtain his papa's permission.

"All right," said Jack, when he heard of it; "he's very safe."

A considerable amount of damage had been inflicted, but the waggons
proved only to be a leading detachment, a second and larger portion
being some miles in the rear, and they, getting timely notice of the
raid of the English, retreated to a safe distance. The commodore,
receiving information that troops with some field-pieces were advancing,
prudently conducted his boats down the river, to avoid an engagement
which could have produced no satisfactory results.

Tom Rogers was at first very much downcast, but in the company of his
old friends quickly regained his spirits; and he and Archie were loud in
their praises of the hospitality with which they had been treated.
Higson did not say much, but Jack could not help suspecting that he no
longer relished being engaged in hostile operations against the
countrymen of his charmer. He confessed as much: "Still, you've known
me long enough to be sure that though it may be against the grain, I'll
do my duty whatever happens."

Higson kept to his word, and no man was more active in the operations
which soon afterwards took place off Ghei