d were now thirsting for the blood of the two boys. No mercy
was shown to them. As they dropped one by one from the rigging wounded
or dead, they were tossed into the wave, as an expiatory sacrifice to
the manes of the murdered Englishmen. In a few minutes the carnage was
over. Seymour and Jerry descended from their little _fortalice_ aloft,
and were warmly greeted by their friends as they reached the deck.

"Really, Mr Paul," said Jerry, shaking his proffered hand, "this is
quite an unexpected pleasure."

"Well, I never thought that I could possibly like you," answered the
other.

"Well," observed Jerry, "it has quite stopped my growth."

"But not your tongue, I hope," replied Peter; "that would be a pity.
Now explain to us how it all happened."

Jerry entered into the detail with his accustomed humour, while
Courtenay walked aft with Seymour, to have a more sober narrative of the
transactions which we have described, and which afforded ample matter
for conversation until the prize was brought to an anchor in Port Royal
harbour, where Courtenay and his crew were ordered a passage to
Barbadoes, in a frigate that had orders to proceed there in a few days;
and Mr Peter Capon and Mr Paul Contract went on shore, declaring that
until a mail coach ran between there and England, they would never leave
the island, and again subject themselves to the charming vicissitudes of
a seafaring existence.

CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR.

For the execution of all form, observance, ceremony, subordination,
and the like, even though, while he compels obedience, he may get
himself privately laughed at, commend me to our governor, Don
Fabricio.

HUMOURS OF MADRID.

In a few days, Courtenay, with the prize crew of the _Aspasia_, sailed
for Barbadoes in the frigate which had been ordered to receive them for
a passage. The frigate was commanded by one of the most singular
characters in the service. He was a clever man, a thorough sailor, and
well acquainted with the details and technicalities of the profession--a
spirited and enterprising officer, but of the most arbitrary
disposition. So well was he acquainted with the regulations of the
service, that he could hedge himself in so as to insure a compliance
with the most preposterous orders, or draw the officer who resisted into
a premunire which would risk his commission.

In a profession where one man is embarked with many, isolated from the
power whence he derives his