As no vessel had sailed from Curacao, the admiral had no idea of what had happened. "Well, then," said he, "sit down on that sofa, Mr Keene, while I read the despatches." I watched the admiral's countenance, and was delighted to witness the evident signs of satisfaction which he expressed as he read on. "Excellent!" said he, as he closed them. "Keene, you have done me a great favour. The remonstrances of the merchants, the badgering I have received from the Admiralty by every packet, relative to the depredations on our commerce by these vessels, have been enough to make a saint swear. Now they are happily disposed of, and I have chiefly to thank you for it. Captain C informs me that the brig is well adapted for his Majesty's service, but that the schooner is an old vessel." The admiral then left the room. In a few minutes he returned with a paper in his hand, which he laid upon the table, and, taking up a pen, he signed it and presented it to me, saying--"_Captain_ Keene, I trust you will give me the pleasure of your company to dinner; and, as you are still very lame, I think you had better make a signal for your servant and traps, and take up your quarters at the Penn till you are quite recovered." Perceiving that I was too much agitated to reply, he continued, "I must leave you now;" then extending his hand, he said, "Allow me to be the first to wish you joy on your promotion, which you have so well deserved." He then went out of the room. It really was so unexpected-- so little dreamt of, this sudden promotion, that I was confused. I had hoped that, by a continuance of good conduct, I might in a year or two obtain it; but that I should receive it after only one cruise in the schooner was beyond all my imagination. I felt grateful, and as soon as I was more composed, I returned thanks to Heaven, and vowed eternal gratitude to the admiral. I felt that I was a step nearer to Lord de Versely, and I thought of the pleasure it would give my mother and Minnie. I had been alone about half an hour, when the admiral returned. "I have just sent for an old messmate of yours, Captain Keene, who was severely wounded in your action with the Dutch frigate; he has now passed, and Lord de Versely recommended him to me as a deserving young officer--a Mr Dott." "Oh, yes, admiral; he was my first acquaintance when I went to sea. He has been to sea longer than I have, but he lost a good deal of his time." "Well I am going to give him an acting order for your brig. I hope he is a good, smart officer." "Yes, admiral, he is a very good officer indeed," replied I, laughing. "Will you oblige me by not telling him that I am to be his captain, till after we have met?" "Ah, some mischief, I suppose; but if we make captains of such boys as you we must expect that. Are your wounded men all going on well?"