News from England—Jack Rogers appointed to the Gauntlet—Adair promoted, and succeeds him in command of the Romp—The Three Midshipmen transferred to the Gauntlet—A Trip on Shore—Sailors in the Slave-Market—The Sultan appears—Gauntlet on the Northern Station—Tom Kettle and Bill Saucepan, the Kroomen—A Trap for Slavers—Mr Large’s Expedition in search of Wildfowl—Finds more than he bargained for—Is the Island bewitched?
The corvette was within a hundred miles of the African coast, when a sail was sighted on the port-bow coming down before the wind. She was soon seen to be a large ship, and little doubt was entertained that she was the Radiant. That she was so was in a short time proved, when she got near enough to allow her number to be seen. The corvette accordingly hove-to, to await her coming. As she drew near, she shortened sail, and hoisted a signal to send a boat for mail-bag.
No summons could be more willingly attended to. The boat was soon alongside, when a large letter-bag was lowered into her, and Adair was summoned to give an account of the trip to Seychelles.
He of course inquired the news. There were some changes in the station.
“Commander Rogers has been confirmed in his rank,” said the commodore; “and I have appointed him to succeed poor Danvers, the late commander of the Gauntlet steamer, which arrived out on the station after you sailed. I hope that he’ll have gained some experience in the Romp, for I mean to do something in putting down the slave-trade. I am determined to strike a blow at the traffic before I return to the Cape, where the doctor tells me I ought to go for the sake of the health of the ship’s company and my own; and so I will, as soon as I hear that a few more captures have been made. By the bye, you’ve been pretty successful, and I’ll give you an acting order to command the Romp till someone is appointed from home. I expect you to show your zeal in the service, and I have no doubt that you will be able to give a satisfactory account of your proceedings.”
Adair, highly pleased, thanked the commodore, and hastened back with the letter-bag to the corvette. He longed to see its contents, for he felt sure that he should hear from Mrs Murray, if not from Lucy herself. The contents of the bag were quickly distributed, and every officer, and not a few of the men, were soon deeply immersed in perusing their various epistles. It was a wonder the corvette did not run away with them; fortunately Jos Green was the officer of the watch, and, shoving his letters into his pocket, he issued the order to brace round the foreyard, and the corvette once more stood close-hauled to the westward, while the commodore ran on for the island of Pemba.
Murray, of course, had a letter from his wife, containing a smaller missive, which he held in his hand while he read the contents of the former. Adair had just received a long official-looking epistle, at which his eyes sparkled with more than usual animation. “Good luck has come at last!” he exclaimed; “I’ve got my promotion, thanks to Admiral Triton and Lord Derrynane.”
“I congratulate you heartily,” said Murray; “and here’s a little billet which I hope may add to your satisfaction. I suppose Stella thinks it all right, or she wouldn’t have undertaken to forward it.” Adair took the note, and, eagerly opening it, ran his eyes rapidly over the delicately-formed characters.
“Hurrah, my boy, I’m the happiest fellow alive!” he said, with difficulty restraining an inclination to throw his cap into the air and give an Irish caper. “That capital fellow, Jack, has been taking my part; and Lucy says that Sir John and Lady Rogers are inclined to relent, and she’s certain would not withhold their consent provided I obtain what I’ve just got; and so I may conclude that it will all be settled, and that I may make my appearance at Halliburton as soon as I return to England.”
“I’m truly glad to hear it,” said Murray; “from what my wife says, I thought you would be satisfied with her friend’s letter. The only drawback, as far as I am concerned, is that I shall lose you as my first lieutenant. However, I mustn’t complain, and I might have a much worse one than Mildmay, who will, I am sure, turn to with a will when he finds himself once in the position, and I only hope I may get an efficient officer in his place.”