at the voyage had done her a
great deal of good, and that she was looking forward to the happiness of
seeing him shortly on his arrival at Malta. Murray had reached England,
but, much to his disappointment, the _Giaour_ had not been paid off, and
he had been directed to hold himself in readiness to sail immediately.
He spoke of the admiral as very much broken, while Mrs Deborah was also
ailing. He could not sufficiently express his gratitude for the
kindness with which the old people had treated Stella and his two
children; she was still residing with them at Southsea--they insisted on
their remaining there till his return, to which he had consented, as he
hoped not to be long absent from home. "I shall then," he said, "not
seek for employment, and, as I have some hopes of my promotion, I may
become an admiral some day. I had expected to have been back at
Bercaldine and to have been able to receive you and Mrs Jack Rogers on
your wedding tour; perhaps even now I may be home in time, and, at all
events, my dear Jack, I look forward to the pleasure of seeing you and
Terence Adair there as one of the greatest in this sublunary world."

Jack had read his letters, when Higson entered the cabin, with an
official-looking despatch in his hand.

"Congratulate me!" he exclaimed. "I have received what I little
expected, my promotion; and, as there is small chance of my being
employed, I think you will agree that I should be wise in taking
advantage of the good fortune offered me."

"I congratulate you heartily," said Jack, "and I won't say a word to
dissuade you."

Higson, after considerable trouble, succeeded in obtaining a commander's
full-dress uniform, with which he expressed himself highly delighted.
He had just time to get on board when the _Tornado_ steamed away for
Balaclava, with the worthy tutor, to whom Jack had offered a passage on
board. The duties with which he had been charged at Balaclava having
been performed, Jack continued his course to the eastward, and the
_Tornado_ soon arrived off the fort with which he had had so gallant a
contest. Jos Green having undertaken to carry the _Tornado_ up the
river as far as the depth of water would allow, she entered its mouth,
keeping the lead going, and proceeded on at half speed till she came off
Colonel Paskiewich's house. Her approach had been perceived; gay flags,
that of England being the highest, were hoisted on the flagstaff near
the house, and numerous pe