Murray continued on board her as far as he could venture to sea, but as he dared not be long absent from the Supplejack, he was at length compelled to return.
Chapter Fifteen.
Stella and the Midshipmen sail for Jamaica in the Sarah Jane—Voyage—Arrival—Jack’s delight at recovering Tom—Stella goes to the Bradshaws—Higson promoted—The Plantagenet and Tudor sail for Carthagena—They quickly settle all difficulties—Proceed to the Mosquito shore—Boat expedition up the San Juan de Nicaragua—Night encampment—Visit of a puma—A chase—Scenery of the river—Birds and monkeys—Voyage continued—An unpleasant bed on an anthill—Approaching the enemy—A sad accident—Alarm—The captain attempts to rescue the drowning men—Does not return.
The Sarah Jane meeting with fine weather and a fair wind glided rapidly across the Caribbean Sea. Higson felt proud of his first command, and soon gained that self-confidence which long years spent in a subordinate position had made him doubt that he possessed. The midshipmen supported him well, and Needham, who acted as boatswain,—and a more thorough man-of-war’s-man never stepped,—assisted to keep the rest of the crew in good order. Tom Rogers was declared “First Lieutenant,” and he walked the deck with all the air and consequence of one. He had already become a fair navigator, and Higson could depend on his calculations. Gordon was dubbed the “Master,” and it was voted that Desmond should be “Second Lieutenant.”
“I say,” exclaimed Tom, “we ought to have a doctor, and so I propose that we give Master Spider the rating, since we haven’t got a better one to fill the post; he at all events won’t drench his patients with physic, and if he has to bleed them he will do it artistically with his teeth.” So Spider was dubbed “Doctor” from henceforth. Higson appointed Archy Gordon also to do the duties of “Purser,” so that he had plenty of occupation.
It was impossible to be more attentive to poor Miss O’Regan than were the young midshipmen, or more thoughtful in all they did. Although she still looked pale, she endeavoured to show her gratitude whenever she came on deck by her cheerful conversation and her smile, which Desmond declared beat everything in the way of sunshine. The midshipmen enjoyed the voyage and quickly regained their strength, somewhat lost during their imprisonment; as to their spirits they were of too buoyant a nature to be kept down the moment the pressure was removed.
At length the Blue Mountains beyond the harbour of Port Royal appeared in sight, the sea breeze, which still blew fresh, wafting the brig rapidly towards the shore.
Miss O’Regan, with her faithful attendant by her side, seated on deck, watched with much interest the magnificent view which gradually rose before her eyes. The three midshipmen were standing near her.