Hilary said good-night and made his way out into the fresh night-air, wondering if it was all true, and whether he was not suffering from some attack of nightmare; but the streets and the docks all looked very real, and when he reached the cutter and was saluted by the watch he began to think that there was no doubt about it, and he began, as he lay awake, to consider whether he ought not at once to take possession of the lieutenant's cabin.



CHAPTER FORTY ONE.

IN COMMAND.

The memory of that dinner and the words that he had heard filled Hilary's dreams that night. He was always waking up with a start, nervous and excited, and then dropping off again to dream of being lieutenant, captain, admiral, in rapid succession. Then his dreams changed, and he was helping Sir Henry and saving Adela from some great danger. Then he was in great trouble, for it seemed that he had been guilty of some gross blunder over his despatches, and he seemed to hear the voices of Captain Charteris and the admiral accusing him of neglect and ingratitude after the promotion given him.

It was therefore weary and unrefreshed that he arose the next morning, glad to have a walk up and down the deck, which had just been washed; and as he soon began to revive in the cold fresh air, he felt a sensation of just pride in the smart little cutter now just freed from the workpeople and shining in her paint and polish. New sails had been bent and a great deal of rigging had been newly run up. The crew, glad to have the cutter clean once more, had made all shipshape. Ropes were coiled down, Billy Waters' guns shone in the morning sun, and all that was wanted now was the order to start.

Hilary went below and had his breakfast, which he had hardly finished when the corporal of marines came down with a despatch.

"Boat from the shore, sir," he said, saluting.

Hilary took the packet, which was addressed to him, and as he opened it the colour flushed into his face and then he became very pale.

The despatch was very short. It ordered him to take the cutter outside instantly and wait for the important despatches he was to take across to Dunkerque. Above all, he was to sail the moment Lieutenant Anderson came on board with the papers and stop for nothing, for the papers were most urgent.

But with the letter was something else which made his heart throb with joy—what was really his commission as lieutenant, and the despatch was addressed to him as Lieutenant Leigh.

As soon as he could recover himself he rose from the table cool and firm.

"Is the boat waiting, corporal?"

"No, sir. It went back directly."

Hilary could not help it; he put on his hat with just the slightest cock in the world, went on deck, and gave his orders in the shortest and sharpest way.

The men stared at him, but they executed his orders, and in a very short time the cutter was out of the basin, a sail or two was hoisted, and, as if rejoicing in her liberty, the Kestrel ran lightly out to a buoy, to which, after what almost seemed like resistance, she was made fast, the sails being lowered, and the cutter rose and fell upon the waves, fretting and impatient to be off.

The mainsail was cast loose, jib and staysail ready, and the gaff topsail would not take many minutes to run up in its place. Then, as if fearing that the blocks might run stiff and that there would be some delay at starting, Hilary gave his orders and the mainsail was run up, a turn or two of the wheel laid the cutter's head to the wind, and there she lay with the canvas flapping and straining and seeming to quiver in her excitement to be off once more.

"Poor old gal! she feels just as if she was just let out of prison," said the boatswain affectionately. "How well she looks!"

"Ay, she do," said Billy Waters. "Well, Tom Tully, my lad, how d'yer feel?"

"Ready for suthin' to do, matey," said the big sailor. "But when's old Lipscombe coming aboard?"

"I d'no," said the gunner. "Wish he wasn't coming at all. Wonder where we're for. I've a good mind to ask Master Leigh. He'll tell me if he can."

"Ay, lad, do," said the boatswain.

Just then Hilary came out of the cabin with a red spot in each cheek, and began walking up and down the deck and watching for the coming boat.

"Is all ready and shipshape, boatswain?" he said.

"Ay, ay, sir."

"Your guns well lashed, Waters?"

"Ay, ay, sir, and longing to have a bark. Beg pardon, sir, shall I get the fishing-lines out?"

"No!" said Hilary shortly.

"All right, sir. But beg pardon, sir."

"What is it, Waters?"

"Is the lieutenant soon coming aboard? His traps ar'n't come yet."

"No," said Hilary firmly. "He's no longer in command."

"Then I says three cheers, my lads," cried Billy Waters excitedly. "Leastwise, if I may."

"No. Stop. No demonstrations now, my lads. We are just off on important business, and I must ask you to be ready and smart as you have never been before."

"Which, if it's Muster Leigh as asks us, sir," said Billy Waters, "I think I may say for the whole crew, from my mates here to the sojers, as there ar'n't one who won't do his best."

"It is not Master Leigh who asks you," said Hilary flushing, as the whole of his little crew now stood grouped about the forward part of the deck. "This is no time for speeches, my lads, but I must tell you this, that I ask you as your commander, the newly-appointed officer of the Kestrel, Lieutenant Leigh."

Billy Waters bent down and gave his leg a tremendous slap; then, turning short round, he slapped the same hand into that of the boatswain, and the whole crew began shaking hands one with the other; the next moment every cap was flying in the air, and then came three hearty cheers.

"Which, speaking for the whole crew, as I think I may," said Billy Waters, glancing round to receive encouragement in a murmur of acquiescence, "I says, sir, with my and our respex, success to the Kestrel and her new commander, and—"

"Hooroar!" cried Tom Tully.

"Boat from the shore, sir," cried the man at the side.

Hilary stepped quickly to the bulwark, to see that a boat well manned by a party of sailors was rapidly approaching, and, what took the young commander's attention, a naval officer seated in the stern sheets.

"So that's my companion, is it?" said Hilary to himself, and he watched the officer very keenly as the boat came rapidly alongside, the officer sprang on board, waved his hand, and the boat pushed off at once.

"Your despatches, Lieutenant Leigh," he said, quietly, as he saluted the young officer, who saluted in return. "You have your orders, sir. You stop for nothing."

"For nothing," said Hilary, taking the packet from the newcomer's hands. "I presume sir, you are—"

"Lieutenant Anderson, at your service," said the other rather stiffly.

Then Hilary's voice rang out sharp and clear in the keen morning air. Up flew the staysail, and away and up ran the jib, bellying out as the rope that held the head of the cutter to the great ring of the buoy was slipped; the Kestrel gave a leap, the great mainsail boom swung over to port, the cutter careened over, the water lapped her sides, and began as it were to run astern in foam, and away went the swift little craft, as if rejoicing in her freedom, and making straight for the eastern end of the Isle of Wight.

The newcomer walked up and down, watching the proceedings for a time, glancing occasionally at the receding shore, and Hilary rapidly gave order after order, feeling a strange joy and excitement as for the next quarter of an hour he was busy, and kept pretty close to the sailor at the wheel.

All at once there was a puff of smoke from one of the forts, and the deep roar of a gun.

"Hullo!" cried Hilary. "What does that mean?"

"Practice, I should say," replied the newcomer. "Nothing that concerns us. You have your orders, sir."

"Yes," said Hilary, "and I'll obey them;" and away sped the Kestrel, her young commander little thinking that he had been made the victim of a clever plot, and that he was bearing despatches to the enemy such as might set England in a blaze.



CHAPTER FORTY TWO.

A TROUBLESOME MENTOR.

"Those sound to me like signals of recall," said Hilary to his companion, as gun after gun was fired, the last sending a shot skipping before the bows of the Kestrel.

"Yes, they must be; but not for us," said Lieutenant Anderson coolly.

"Why, there's a signal flying too," said Hilary, as he took his glass.

"Yes, that's a signal of recall too," said the other coolly. "I wonder what ship they are speaking to? The Kestrel sails well."

"Gloriously," said Hilary, flushing with pleasure; "and I know how to sail her, too. Well, Mr Anderson, now we're getting towards clear water, and there's time to speak, let's shake hands. I'm very glad to see you, and I hope we shall be the best of friends."

"I'm sure we shall," said the newcomer, shaking hands warmly. "Ah! that shot fell behind us. We're getting beyond them now."

"Oh, yes; there's no fear of their hitting us," said Hilary laughing, as the Kestrel careened over more and more as she caught the full force of the wind. "If we go on at this rate it will almost puzzle a cannonball to catch us. I know there is no vessel in Portsmouth harbour that could with this wind."

"Do you think not?" said the lieutenant.

"I'm sure not," said Hilary gaily; and they walked the deck chatting as, by degrees, they passed the Isle of Wight, making the open channel more and more, while Lieutenant Anderson—the real—was closeted with Admiral and Captain Charteris, all puzzled at the sudden flight of the Kestrel, which had set sail without her despatches, and also without what the old admiral called ballast for the young commander, namely, Lieutenant Anderson, who had gone off with his despatches directly after his counterfeit, only to find the cutter gone.

Signal guns and flags proving vain, there was nothing for it but to send another vessel in chase of the Kestrel, but it was hours before one could be got off, and meanwhile the swift despatch boat was tearing on towards her destination, with poor Hilary happy in the blind belief that he was doing his best.

There was something very delightful in feeling that he was chief officer of the Kestrel, that the duty of the swift little cutter was to be carried out without the wretched cavilling and fault-finding of the late commander. Everything seemed to work so smoothly now; the men were all alacrity, and they saluted him constantly with a bright smile, which showed that they shared his pleasure.

The breeze was brisk, the sun came out, and Lieutenant Anderson, the self-styled, proved to be a very pleasant, well informed man, who very soon showed Hilary that he had not the slightest intention of interfering in any way with his management of the cutter.

"No," said Hilary to himself, "I suppose not. As they told me, he is only to interfere in cases of emergency, or when I am doing any foolish thing; and that I don't mean to do if I can help it."

Towards afternoon the wind fell light, and the great squaresail was spread, but it made little appreciable difference, and as evening came on, to Hilary's great disgust the wind dropped almost completely.

"Did you ever know anything so unfortunate!" cried Hilary; "just when I wanted to show the admiral what speed there was in the little Kestrel as a despatch boat."

"Unfortunate!" cried his companion, who had been struggling to maintain his composure, but who now broke out; "it is atrocious, sir. Those despatches are of the greatest importance, and here your cursed vessel lies upon the water like a log!" Hilary stared.

"It is very unfortunate," he said; "but let's hope the wind will spring up soon after sundown."

"Hope, sir!" cried the other. "Don't talk of hope. Do something."

Hilary flushed a little at the other's imperious way. He was not going to prove so pleasant a companion as he had hoped for, and there was that worst of all qualities for a man in command—unreason.

"I am to take your advice, sir, in emergencies," said Hilary, restraining his annoyance; "what would you suggest for me to do?"

"I suggest, Lieutenant Leigh!" exclaimed the other, stamping up and down the little deck. "I am not in command of the cutter. It is your duty to suggest and to act."

"Yes, sir, and I will," replied Hilary.

"It is a question of vital importance—the delivery of these despatches—and every moment lost means more than you can imagine. Come, sir, your position is at stake. You command this cutter: do something to get her on."

Hilary looked up at the flapping sails, which hung motionless; then out to windward in search of cats'-paws upon the water; then at his men, who were lounging about the lee side of the cutter; and then back at his companion.

"Really, sir," he said at last, "I am quite helpless. You are more experienced than I. What would you advise me to do?"

"And you are placed in command of this cutter!" said the other ironically. "Why, a child would know better. Have out the boats, sir, and let the men tow the cutter."

"Tow, sir!" cried Hilary; "why, it would be exhausting the men for nothing. We could not make head against the current we have here."

"It will save something, sir," said the other; "and I order you to do it at once." Hilary felt the hot blood flush into his face, and the order was so unreasonable and absurd that he felt ready to refuse, especially as he knew his own power, and that there was not a man on board who would not be at his back. But he recalled his duty, and feeling that this was a case of emergency, where he ought to obey, he ordered out the two boats; lines were made fast, and soon after the men were bending well to their work, while the stout ash blades bent as they dipped in rhythmical motion, and sent the clear water plashing and sparkling back into their wake.

The men worked willingly enough, but Hilary saw to his annoyance that they glanced at and whispered to one another, and it seemed very hard that he should be forced to inaugurate his first day in command by setting his men to an unreasonable task, for it was mere waste of energy.

But even now it was done the officer seemed no better satisfied, but tramped up and down the little deck, uttering the most angry expressions of impatience, and at last abusing the cutter unmercifully.

"Well," thought Hilary, "he has dropped the mask, and no mistake. It is not going to be such smooth sailing as I expected. Never mind; one must have some bitters with the sweet, and after all he is only angry from a sense of being unable to do his duty, while I was taking it as cool as could be."

For quite five hours the boats were kept out, the men being relieved at intervals; and at the end of those five hours the cutter had not advanced a mile, when Hilary seized the speaking-trumpet, and hailed them to come on board.

"Stop!" cried the officer. "Why have you done that, sir, without my permission?"

This was too much for Hilary, and he spoke out: "Because, sir, I am in command here, and there is no occasion for the men to row any longer."

"I insist, sir, upon their keeping on with the towing."

"And I insist, sir," replied Hilary, "on the men returning on board."

"I shall report your conduct," cried his officer.

"Do so, sir," replied Hilary, "if you think it your duty. In with you, my lads. Let go the halyards there, and down with that squaresail. Quick with those boats. There will be a squall upon us directly."

He had proved himself on the alert, guided as he had been by the signs of the weather, and the great squaresail had hardly been lowered, the boats made snug, and a reef or two taken in the mainsail, before the wind came with a sharp gust, and the next minute the Kestrel was sending the water surging behind her in a long track of foam.

"Ah! that's better," cried the officer, whose ill-humour seemed to vanish on the instant. "How painful it is, Mr Leigh, to be lying like a log, and all the time with important despatches to deliver!"

"It is, sir," said Hilary quietly.

"I declare there were times when I felt disposed to jump overboard and to swim on with the despatches."

"Rather a long swim," said Hilary drily; and he thought it rather odd that the other should think of swimming on with the papers that he had locked up in the cabin despatch-box, and that again in a locker for safety.

"Well, yes," said the other, "it would have been a long swim. But tell me, Mr Leigh, about what time do you think we shall make Dunkerque?"

"If this wind holds good, sir, by eight o'clock to-morrow morning."

"Not till eight o'clock to-morrow morning!" cried the other furiously. "Good heavens! how we crawl! There, have the reefs shaken out of that mainsail, and send the cutter along."

Hilary looked aloft, and then at the way in which the cutter lay over, dipping her bowsprit from time to time in the waves.

"I think she has as much canvas upon her as she can bear, sir."

"Absurd! nonsense! You can get two or three knots more an hour out of a cutter like this."

"I could get another knot an hour out of her, sir, by running the risk of losing one of her spars; and that means risking the delivery of the despatches."

"Look here, Mr Leigh," said the officer; "you seem to be doing all you can to delay the delivery of these despatches. I order you, sir, to shake out the reefs of that mainsail."

Hilary took up the speaking-trumpet to give the order, but as he held it to his lips he felt that he would be doing wrong. He knew the cutter's powers intimately. He saw, too, that she was sailing her best, and he asked himself whether he would not be doing wrong by obeying what was, he felt, an insensate command. Surely there must be some limit to his obedience, he thought; and more than ever he felt what a peculiar position was that in which he had been placed, and he wondered whether Captain Charteris could be aware of the peculiar temperament of his companion.

Hilary lowered the speaking-trumpet, as the cutter rushed on through the darkness.

"Well, sir," said his companion, "you heard my orders?"

"I did, sir," replied Hilary. "Here, bosun."

"Ay, ay, sir."

"How much more canvas will the cutter bear?"

"Bear, sir?" said the experienced old salt; "begging your pardon, sir, I was going to ask you if you didn't think it time to take a little off if you don't want the mast to go."

"Silence, sir!" said the officer. "Mr Leigh, these despatches must be delivered at all hazards. I order you again, sir, to risk more canvas."

Hilary stood for a moment undecided, and his thoughts flashed rapidly through his brain.

This man was unreasonable. He did not understand the Kestrel's powers, for she was already dashing at headlong speed through the sea, and he wanted him to run an unwarrantable risk. At all hazards he would refuse. He knew his duty, he felt that he was a better seaman than his mentor, and he turned to him quietly:

"My orders were, sir, to refer to you for advice in times of emergency; but I was not told to run risks that my commonsense forbids. The cutter will bear no more canvas, sir, for the wind is increasing. In half an hour we shall have to take in another reef."

"If you dare!" said the officer, laying his hand upon his sword.

"I dare do my duty, sir," replied Hilary, ignoring the gesture; and the cutter dashed on through the darkness of the night.



CHAPTER FORTY THREE.

DELIVERING DESPATCHES.

The men had been witnesses of all that took place, and had heard the officer's angry words, respecting which they talked in a low tone, Billy Waters more than once saying that he didn't like the lookout forrard— the "forrard" being the future, and not the sea beyond the cutter's bows.

As the night wore on the officer had become very friendly. "I was wrong, Mr Leigh. Put it down, please, to my anxiety. I beg your pardon."

"Granted," said Hilary frankly. "I would not oppose you, sir, if I did not feel that I was right."

"I am glad I am in the company of so clever a young officer," the other replied. "Now about rest. I am too anxious to lie down to sleep. I will take charge of the deck while you go and get a few hours' rest."

"Thank you, no," said Hilary quietly; "I, too, am anxious, and I shall not be able to sleep till we are in port and the despatches are delivered."

"But there is no need for both of us to watch, my dear sir," said the other blandly.

"Then pray go below, sir," said Hilary. "You may depend on me."

The officer did not reply, but took a turn or two up and down, and as the time glided on he tried again and again to persuade Hilary to go below, which, in his capacity of chief officer, holding his first command on a dark night and upon an important mission, he absolutely refused to do.

Towards morning on two occasions the officer brought him glasses of spirits and water, which Hilary refused to take; and at last, fearing to make him suspicious, the officer desisted and stood leaning with his back against the side, wrapped in a cloak, for it was very cold.

The light in front of the wheel shone faintly upon him as Hilary walked slowly fore and aft, visiting the lookout man at the bows and the man at the wheel; and at last, in the gloomy darkness of the winter's morning, Hilary saw the Dunkerque lights.

"We're in sight of port, Mr Anderson," he said as he walked aft.

"Indeed!" said the other starting, and the wind gave his cloak a puff, showing for a moment what Hilary saw was the butt of a pistol.

"What does he want with pistols?" said Hilary to himself; and after a short conversation he again went forward, feeling curiously suspicious, though there seemed to be no pegs upon which his suspicions could hang.

But he was not long kept in suspense and doubt. When they were about a couple of miles from the entrance to the port a boat manned by eight rowers came towards them, and Hilary noticed it directly.

"What does that boat mean?" he said sharply.

"Don't know. Can't say," the officer replied. "Perhaps a man-o'-war's boat coming to meet us for the despatches."

Hilary was not satisfied, but he said nothing. He merely resumed his walk to and fro.

"Now then, bosun," he said, "have your men up ready. It will be down sails directly."

"Not yet awhile, Mr Leigh," said the officer. "The Kestrel does not fly—she crawls."

"Waters," said Hilary as he passed out of his companion's sight, "make no sign, but lay a bar or two and some pikes about handy for use if wanted, and give the men a hint to be ready if there's anything wrong. Quietly, mind."

Billy Waters nodded, and as Hilary walked back to where the officer was standing he became aware that the gunner had taken his hint, but it was all done so quietly that it did not catch the officer's attention.

"That boat means to board us," said Hilary, as their proximity to the land sheltered them from the wind and their progress became slow.

"Offer to pilot us, perhaps," said the officer. "No; it is as I said."

"Ahoy, there! Heave-to!" shouted the officer in command of the boat.

"What boat's that?" cried Hilary.

"The Royal Mary's. Have you despatches on board?"

"My orders were to deliver my despatches myself at a certain address," thought Hilary; "this may be a trick."

"On special business," cried Hilary back.

"Nonsense, Mr Leigh!" cried the assumed Lieutenant Anderson. "Heave-to, sir. I order you! Hi, my lads there, down with the sails."

"No sails don't go down for no orders like that," growled the boatswain; but by skilful management the boat was already alongside and the bowman had caught the bulwark with his hook.

"Keep back!" cried Hilary sharply.

"Are you mad?" cried the man by his side, now throwing off his cloak, and with it his disguise, for he caught Hilary by the collar and presented a pistol at his head. "Quick, there, up with you!"

Hilary struck up the pistol, but the next instant he received a heavy blow on the forehead and staggered back as, to his horror, the crew of the boat, well-armed and headed by Sir Henry Norland, leaped aboard and drove back the two or three of the crew who were near.

"At last!" cried Sir Henry to the false lieutenant. "I thought you would never come, Hartland. Have you the papers?"

"Yes, all right," said the gentleman addressed, "and all's right. Here."

He had thrust his hand into his breast when there was a shout and a cheer as the stout crew of the Kestrel, headed by the gunner and armed with pikes and capstan-bars, charged down upon them.

There was a shot or two. Hilary was knocked down by his own men as he had struggled up; the false lieutenant was driven headlong down the companion hatch, and in less than a minute Sir Henry Norland and his men were, with two exceptions, who lay stunned upon the deck, driven over the side, to get to their boat as best they could. Then as Hilary once more gained his feet the assailing boat was a quarter of a mile astern.

"The treacherous scoundrel!" cried Hilary. "Oh, my lads, my lads, you've saved the cutter. But tell me, did that fellow get away?"

"What! him as I hit down the hatchway for hysting your honour?" said Tom Tully. "He's down below."

Hilary and a couple of men ran to the hatchway, to find the false lieutenant lying below by the cabin door, with one arm broken, and his head so injured that he lay insensible, with the end of a packet of papers standing out of his breast.

Hilary seized them at once, and then, as a light broke in upon his breast, he ran to the locker, opened it and the despatch-box, and longed to open the papers he held.

But they were close in to the port, and, resolving to deliver the despatches, he left the false lieutenant well guarded, leaped into one of the boats, and was rowed ashore to the consul, to whom he told his tale.

"It has been a trick," said that gentleman; "there is no such street in the town as that on the despatch, and no such officer known."

"What should you do?" cried Hilary. Then, without waiting to be answered, he cried, "I know," and, hurrying back to his boat, he was soon on board, and with the sails once more spread he was on his way back to Portsmouth with the despatches, and three prisoners in the hold.

Before he had gone many miles he became aware of a swift schooner sailing across his track; and though, of course, he could not recognise her, he had a strong suspicion that it was the one that had nearly run them down.



CHAPTER FORTY FOUR.

A GOOD FIGHT FOR IT.

Before long he found that it evidently meant to intercept him, and he had the deck cleared for action and the men at quarters.

"They want the despatches they tricked me into carrying," cried Hilary; "but they go overboard if I am beaten."

To secure this he placed them in the despatch-box, in company with a couple of heavy shot, and placed all ready to heave overboard should matters go wrong.

He knew what was his duty in such a case, though; and that was to run for Portsmouth with the papers, fighting only on the defensive; and this, to the great disappointment of his men, he kept to.

The schooner commenced the aggressive by sending a shot in front of the cutter's bows, as an order to heave-to, but the cutter kept on, and the next shot went through her mainsail.

"Now, Billy Waters," said Hilary, "train the long gun aft, and fire as fast as you can; send every shot, mind, at her masts and yards; she is twice as big as we are, and full of men."

"But we'd lick 'em, sir," said the gunner. "Let's get alongside and board her."

"No," said Hilary sternly; "we must make Portsmouth before night."

Then the long gun began to speak, and Hilary kept up a steady running fight, hour after hour, but in spite of his efforts to escape, the schooner hung closely at his heels, gradually creeping up, and doing so much mischief that at last the young commander began to feel that before long it would be a case of repelling boarders, and he placed the despatch-box ready to throw over the side.

Closer and closer came on the schooner, and man after man went down; but still Billy Waters, aided by the boatswain, kept firing with more or less success from the long gun, till at last the time came when the schooner's crew were firing with small arms as well, and Hilary knew that in another minute they would be grappled and the enemy on board.

He paused with the despatch-box in his hand, ready to sink it, while Billy Waters was taking careful aim with the long gun. Then there was the puff of smoke, the bellowing roar, and apparently no result, when all at once there was a loud crack, a splash, and the cutter's crew cheered like mad, for the schooner's mainmast went over the side with its press of sail, and the foremast, that had been wounded before, followed, leaving the swift vessel a helpless wreck upon the water.

She would have been easy of capture now, but under the circumstances Hilary's duty was to risk no severe fight in boarding her, but to continue his course, and this he did, passing a gunboat going in search of him, the despatches he had left behind having gone by another boat.

Answering the hail, Hilary communicated with the commander, who in another hour had captured the schooner, and the next morning she was brought into Portsmouth harbour with her crew.

Meantime Hilary had reached Portsmouth and been rowed ashore, where he went straight to the admiral's house. Captain Charteris was with the admiral, and both looked very stern as he told his tale.

"A bad beginning, Lieutenant Leigh," said the admiral, "but it was a clever ruse on the enemy's part. But you are wounded. Sit down."

"Only a scratch or two, sir," said Hilary piteously, for he felt very weak and quite overcome as he handed his papers.

Just then he became aware of the presence of a plainly-dressed gentleman, to whom the admiral, with great deference, handed the captured despatches. He opened them—Hilary's first.

"Yes," he said, "a clear case; all blank. Now for the others."

As he opened the packet he uttered a cry of joy.

"This is news indeed. My young officer, you have done more than you think for in capturing these. Captain Charteris, instantly—marines and sailors, you can take them all."

"Yes, young man," continued the stranger, "this is a proud day for you. It is a death-blow to the Pretender's cause. You have done great things."

"In the King's name—hurrah!" cried Hilary feebly, as he waved his hat; then he reeled and fell heavily upon the floor.



CHAPTER FORTY FIVE.

MEETING OLD FRIENDS.

Hilary Leigh's scratches were two severe wounds which kept him in bed for a couple of months, during which he learned that the despatches he had brought back after turning the tables on the Pretender's followers had, as the high official had said, given such information that by their means a death-blow was given to the plots to place Charles Edward upon the English throne; and when he was once more about, it was to join his little vessel, with his lieutenant's grade endorsed, and in a span new uniform, of which he was deservedly proud.

The cutter had been pretty well knocked about in the fight, but she was once more in good trim, and her crew, who had received a capital share of prize-money for their part in the capture of the schooner, received him with three cheers.

For years after, the Kestrel swept the Channel pretty clear of smugglers and enemies, and continued so to do long after Hilary had joined Captain Charteris's ship, taking with him the principal members of his crew, Billy Waters rapidly becoming gunner of the great man-of-war, and Tom Tully remaining Tom Tully still, able seaman and owner of the biggest pigtail amongst five hundred men.

Five years had elapsed before Hilary again saw Sir Henry Norland, and this was one day in a French port, when the greeting was most cordial.

"No, Hilary, my boy," he said, as he led the lieutenant to a handsome house just outside the town. "I shall not come back to England to live. Our cause failed, and I have given up politics now. The English government have left me alone, or forgotten me, and I won't come back and tell them who I am."

"And you don't feel any enmity against me, Sir Henry, for behaving to you as I did?"

"Enmity, my dear boy!" cried Sir Henry, laying his hands affectionately upon the young man's shoulders; "I was sorry that we were on opposite sides, but I was more proud of you than I can tell. Many's the time I said to myself, I would that you had been my son."

Just then Hilary started, for a graceful woman entered the room, to gaze at him wonderingly for a moment, and then, with a mutual cry of pleasure, they ran forward to catch each other's hands.

Sir Henry uttered a sigh of satisfaction, one that was not heard by the young people, who were too much wrapped up in each other's words, for this was a meeting neither had anticipated, and they had much to say.

Who is it that needs to be told that Hilary saw Adela Norland as often as he could, and that being high in favour with the government, and soon after made captain of a dashing ship, he should ask for, and obtain permission, for Sir Henry Norland to return?

This permit giving him free pardon for the past Hilary himself took to the French port, where he behaved very badly, for he told Adela Norland that he would not give it up unless she made him a certain promise, and this, with many blushes, she did, just as Sir Henry came into the room.

"Ah!" he said laughing, "I expected all this. Well, Hilary, I have no son, and you want to take away my daughter."

"No, sir," said Hilary; "I only want to find you a son, and to take you, free from all political care, once more home."

And this he did, making his name a brighter one still in the annals of his country, for many were the gallant acts done by the brave sailor Captain Hilary Leigh, for his country's good, and in the King's name.

THE END