"The vacancy is one which I am entitled to fill," said his lordship, as he signed dispatches in which the name of Captain Montgomery again stood conspicuous: "and were this not the case," he continued, "I could have no doubt of the Admiralty confirming such an officer. Oscar," he then said, turning kindly to his son, "I am sorry to leave you behind, my boy; but I cannot, even in a public point of view, pass over merit so distinguished as Montgomery's: and, you know, Oscar, you have never taken the trouble of doing more than the mere routine of duty required. In short, I have never been able to make you fond of the service. Yet you shall have the very next ship, though it is thus I have ever spoiled you. I have made every step too easy," he added, after a moment of silence. "I know it, sir," replied Oscar: "you have always been kind and indulgent." Then turning to Edmund, and shaking hands with him, he continued, "Montgomery well deserves his promotion, and I am the first to give him joy of it." "Well, Oscar," said the earl, "you certainly have a good heart; and that, after all, is, perhaps, the first of good qualities." In the next three years, every newspaper was emblazoned with the brilliant deeds of the gallant Captain Montgomery! We need scarcely add, that each such newspaper was, with proud enthusiasm, read aloud by Mr. Jackson at Lodore House; and, by the quiet home circle there, listened to with the liveliest interest. An immensity of prize-money also had, from time to time, been shared by the fleet; and Edmund having been one year a commander, and nearly two a post captain, his proportion of the various sums so shared was very considerable, amounting, in all, to upwards of fifteen thousand pounds. Henry, whose advancement had, as we have seen, received a check, happened to be lieutenant in the Euphrasia, when our hero was appointed her captain. CHAPTER XXX. "Their eyes roll in search of the foe." The Euphrasia was detached from the fleet, with instructions to cruise in the Archipelago, and look out for, capture, sink, or otherwise destroy, a formidable Turkish corsair, which had lately committed great depredations. On making the little island of Patras, every speck which the face of the water presented was accordingly examined with more than usual eagerness. In a few hours the words, "A sail! a sail!" were heard from aloft, and echoed throughout the ship. All hands were summoned, and the vessel crouded with canvass.