"Well, well, Mr Lanyard, as I shall have occasion to call at Kingston, Jamaica, and afterwards proceed through the Gulf to Havanna, I will take you with me, and send you to Havanna direct--so go on board, and send me your supernumeraries. I suppose all the wounded are well enough to be moved now?" "Yes, Sir Oliver," said Dick, "all but that poor devil, Lennox, the corporal of marines. He is again down with fever." "Well, but he will be better cared for here--so send him on board with the rest--he is a very good man, and you know I must be marine officer myself, now since poor Howlet invalided"--(this was the lieutenant of marines)--"so send him with the rest." "Why, Sir Oliver, the man is exceedingly willing, as we all know, but his stamina is gone entirely, and this he is himself aware of. Indeed this morning he preferred a request to me, which I know is against rule altogether; still, under correction, I promised to make it known to you." "Out with it--what is it?" "Simply this, sir--that you would allow him to act as my steward for the cruise, now since poor Jacobson is gone"---- "Why, it is against all rule, as you say, Mr Lanyard--but I see no great harm in it, if the poor devil be really unable to keep watch--so, at all events, keep him on board in the mean time. We shall bear up, and make sail at noon; and come on board to dinner, if you please, at three." Old Dick returned with a joyous heart to the Midge--I accompanied him--Mr Marline was the officer of the watch. "Send all the supernumeraries on board the Gazelle, Mr Marline, bag and baggage, will ye?" "Ay, ay, sir," responded the master's mate, now acting master of the Midge--"shall we send the wounded, too, sir?" "Yes, all hands of them." I went down to dress for dinner. When I came on deck again, the men were all ready with their bags, in their clean trowsers and frocks, and well-shaven chins, on the starboard side; while the wounded had crept on deck, and were ranged under the awning on the other. They had all rallied astonishingly, but poor Lennox, who was miserably weak and ill--he looked as if he were dying. Little Joe Peak came up to the lieutenant, "Am I to go with them, sir?"--"Certainly." The wee mid looked disappointed--and made no answer. Presently he came up to him again, "The men ask if they may give you a cheer, sir."--"Heaven help us, no--no--we have had nothing to brag off, Master Peak--no--no." But Dick twigged, on a moment's reflection, what the drift was. "I say, steward, give the men who are going in the boat a glass of grog a-piece to drink my health." It was done, and the boat shoved off, and was returning for the wounded, when I happened to notice Lennox looking earnestly at me. "Bless me, Lennox, I have forgotten you entirely." "Do you know if I am to go on board the frigate sir?" said the poor fellow, with a weak voice.