urn immediately. The doctor merely requested that he might be
allowed to take his medicine case, instruments, and clothes.

"I shall be happy to let you have as many things as the boat will
carry," said the lieutenant; "but as the captain is in a hurry to
continue the voyage, he may be unwilling to send ashore again for any
other articles."

The boat was soon loaded with the doctor's property, the nautical
instruments, and the clothing which the men had appropriated, and then
rapidly made her way towards the _Bellona_. The doctor had written a
note, which he left in the hut, stating the name of the vessel wrecked
on the island, and the circumstances under which he and the only
survivor of the crew, with a party of English officers and men, had
quitted it. By his special request the stars and stripes were left
flying.

As the midshipmen followed the lieutenant up the side, they saw the two
captains standing on the quarter-deck, but even Jack did not recognise
his own brother. Tom, lifting the remnant of his cap, went aft, and
putting out his hand exclaimed--

"What, don't you know me, Jack?"

Captain Rogers looked at him for a few seconds, then wringing his hand
said, "How did you come into this plight, my dear fellow?"

Tom of course explained what had happened, while Gerald and Billy were
telling the same story to Captain Murray. Doctor Locock was of course
well taken care of by the surgeon, and invited into the ward-room. Tom
had a good deal to hear about family matters. Desmond and Billy
Blueblazes were soon made at home by the other young gentlemen of the
ship, while the men were equally cared for forward. Captain Murray did
not think it worth while to send on shore for the small part of the
whaler's cargo which had been saved, but he promised to give information
to the first American man-of-war he might fall in with, that she might
go for it if it was thought worth while.

The account which the midshipmen gave of the _Dragon_ caused
considerable anxiety. When Captain Murray heard that her machinery was
out of order, he felt satisfied that she had gone on to Hong-kong, and
as she would certainly be detained there for some time, she would not
even yet be able to get back to the Bonins.

"Perhaps," observed Tom, "Commander Rawson fancies we are lost, and if
so he is not likely to come and look for us."

The wind continuing light, the _Bellona_ steered on, soon leaving the
coral island far astern.