“My dear Captain Rogers,” exclaimed the major, grasping him by the hand, “I was at the telegraph station when you made your number, and I immediately hurried down to welcome you, picking up Eugenia and Angelica on the way. Will you do me a favour?”
“What is it?” inquired Jack.
“Yes, it is a favour; I will acknowledge it as a favour if you grant it. Will you convey Mrs Bubsby and myself with our two dear daughters to England? You must know that I was compelled to resign my command, and I do not find my stay here as pleasant as I should wish.”
Billy Blueblazes, who was standing behind the captain, observed Miss Angelica casting loving glances towards him. “Heaven forbid that the captain should grant the major’s request,” he said to himself.
He need have had no fear on that score. Jack as politely as possible declined, and did not even invite the major and the Misses Bubsby below.
“You must understand, Major Bubsby, that I have the officers and part of the ship’s company of the Empress to carry home, so that we have not an inch to spare. I cannot turn them out of the only berths I have to offer, and you and your daughters would not like to sling up your hammocks on the lower deck.”
“I did not expect this of you, Captain Rogers,” said the major, an angry frown gathering on his brow.
“Hard-hearted man!” murmured Miss Angelica.
But Jack was deaf to all they could say, and felt very much inclined to order the master-at-arms to escort his visitors, nolens volens, down the side. They at last made a virtue of necessity, and returned to their boat.
Billy heaved a sigh of relief as he watched them pulling towards the shore. It was the last he or his captain ever saw or heard of Major Bubsby and his daughters, the major’s name disappearing soon afterwards from the army list. Lord Saint Maur, of course, went home in the Bellona. He was accompanied by Rip and Snarley, the former begging that he might enter his service as valet. Old England was reached at last, when Captain Rogers made the pleasing discovery that he had become an admiral by seniority.