“I delight in the sea, and I love seamen,” said Angelica, smiling sweetly at the captain.
She was not aware that Jack possessed a wife and family. He had now to quit the ladies to attend to the duty of the ship.
“Blue Peter” had been flying for some time, and a gun was fired to hurry off those on shore. The anchor was weighed, and the Bellona with her living freight steamed majestically out of the harbour.
As soon as things had been got somewhat to rights, the baggage stowed away, and the soldiers berthed, Jack and his lieutenants had time to look after the officers.
Directly the ladies’ cabin was ready, Jack escorted them below. Mrs Bubsby cast a somewhat indignant glance at the canvas screen which had been put up, but said nothing. But Eugenia exclaimed—
“How nice! we shall hear everything that is said outside, and you’ll hear us, so we must take care what we talk about.”
“I’m sure that we shall hear nothing but what is pleasant and sensible and right,” said Jack, with less veracity than it was his wont to speak.
Mrs Bubsby gave a “hem!” and Jack, bowing, left the cabin in possession of his fair guests.
The major was pacing the deck, fussing and fuming. Something had gone wrong with him. Jack kept out of his way. He had already got hold of one of his own junior officers, to whom he was explaining what had happened. At last he came up to Jack.
“I must beg you, Captain Rogers, to put back. My dressing-case, with valuables to a large amount, has been left behind; and it will to a certainty be stolen. I cannot do without it while campaigning; and it will be a fearful inconvenience not to have it on board. I will give you a written request, if you think it necessary to have one.”