Jack leaves the service, in which he had no business, and goes home to mind his own business.
On the fourth day they arrived at Malta, and our two midshipmen, as soon as they had settled with the padrone of the vessel, went up to the government-house. They found the Governor in the veranda, Who held out both his hands, one to each.
“Glad to see you, my lads. Well, Jack, how’s the leg, all right? don’t limp. And your arm, Gascoigne?”
“All right, sir, and as sound as ever it was,” replied they both.
“Then you’re in luck, and have made more haste than you deserve, after your mad pranks; but now sit down, and I suppose, my friend Jack, you have a story to tell me.”
“Oh, yes, Sir Thomas, and a very long one.”
“Then I won’t have it now, for I expect people on business; we’ll have it after dinner. Get your things up and take possession of your rooms. The Aurora sailed four days ago. You’ve had a wonderful recovery.”
“Wonderful, sir!” replied our hero; “all Palermo rings with it.”
“Well, you may go now—I shall see you at dinner. Wilson will be delighted when he hears that you have got round again, for he was low-spirited about it, I can tell you, which is more than you deserve.”
“He’s right there,” said our hero to Gascoigne as they walked away.