“Very well; I will ask for the surgeon to come on board.”
Jack pulled to the frigate and went up the side, touched his hat in due form, and was introduced by the midshipmen to the other side, where the captain stood.
“Mr Easy!” exclaimed the captain.
“Captain Sawbridge?” replied our hero with surprise.
“Good heavens! what brought you here!” said the captain; “and what vessel is that?”
“The Rebiera, letter of marque, commanded and owned by Mr Easy,” replied Jack, laughing.
Captain Sawbridge gave him his hand. “Come down with me in the cabin, Mr Easy; I am very glad to see you. Give you great credit for your conduct, and am still more anxious to know what has induced you to come out again. I knew that you had left the service.”
Jack, in a very few words, told his object in fitting out the Rebiera; “but,” continued Jack, “allow me to congratulate you upon your promotion, which I was not aware of. May I ask where you left the Harpy, and what is the name of your frigate?”
“The Latona! I have only been appointed to her one month, after an action in which the Harpy took a large corvette, and am ordered home with despatches to England. We sailed yesterday evening from Gibraltar, were becalmed the whole night, and attacked this morning by the gun-boats.”
“How is Captain Wilson, sir?”