and had a regular wash."

"I shall be glad to be out of this harbour," the captain said. "These
tideless harbours soon get very unpleasant when there is much shipping
in them. And yet I own I should like to wait to see the attack on the
Egyptian position. I believe the last transports came in to-day, and as
Lord Wolseley arrived two days ago, I suppose they will be at it in a
day or two. However, as I sent off a telegram this morning saying that
we were empty, I suppose we shall get orders this afternoon or to-morrow
morning to go somewhere."

Late in the afternoon they were surprised by seeing the boats of the
fleet and transports occupied in re-embarking large numbers of troops.

"Something is evidently up," Mr. Hoare said, as he stood with the lads
watching the busy scene. "I suppose Lord Wolseley thinks it will cost
too many lives to attack the Egyptian position in front, and that he is
going to make a fresh landing somewhere along the coast so as to march
round and take them in the rear. Or it may be he is going to sail up the
canal and land at Ismailia; in that way, if he is sharp, he may get
between Arabi and Cairo, and cut the enemy off altogether from the
capital."

The next morning at daybreak the great fleet of men-of-war and
transports steamed away for the East on their way to Ismailia, and the
_Wild Wave_, which had got her orders late the evening before, sailed
for Genoa, where she was to take on board a cargo for England. Six weeks
later she entered St. Katharine's Docks, and the three midshipmen were
at once released from duty. Jack had already packed up his small kit,
and, taking the train to Fenchurch St. and then a bus to Dulwich, was
soon home. As the ship had been signalled when she passed the Downs, he
was expected, and received a joyous welcome. Great was the interest of
his mother and sister in the adventures he had passed through, and they
were delighted with the gold watch and the inscription, stating that it
had been presented to him by merchants of Alexandria whose property he
had been the means of rescuing from its plunderers.

The next morning Mrs. Robson received a note asking her to come up with
Jack and Lily to dine with the Godstones. Jack learned that while he had
been away Lily had been often there spending the day with Mildred, who
was nearly her own age. On their arrival Mildred took her off to her own
room to have tea, while Jack dined with Mr. Godstone and his wife, and
afte