"Well," he said to himself, "as Murray always used to advise, `Do right and take the consequences.' I have done right in obeying, but the consequences are not less unpleasant. I shall be reprimanded for losing my ship, and shall be sent on shore with a black mark against my name, and all my prospects in the service ruined; and Sir John will be less likely than ever to allow me to marry Lucy. I _am_ the most unfortunate fellow alive." This was about the twentieth time poor Terence had uttered the expression since he had been compelled to leave the _Flash_. As long as he continued on her deck, fighting her bravely, he had not cared half so much about her having run on shore; besides which, he had never abandoned the hope of getting her off. So completely did his feelings run away with him that he even began to contemplate, though his calmer moments would have forbidden him doing so, the idea of calling out Commander Allport, as the only way of avenging the injury he had received; but he, happily, had strength to banish the thought almost as soon as it was conceived, and, walking to the other side of the ship, he anxiously watched the approach of the _Giaour_. As soon as she drew near, he ordered his gig, and, without holding any further communication with Commander Allport, pulled on board her. "Why, Adair, what have you been doing with the _Flash_?" asked Murray, as he sprang up the side. Terence briefly explained what had happened, and declared his conviction that the ship might have been saved by the adoption of proper measures. "Instead of that, old Allport is expending powder and shot in making a target of her, for no earthly reason beyond that of showing that he is my superior officer, though of equal rank. I wish to goodness he had been laid on the shelf, the only position he is fit for." "We must try what can be done," said Murray. "Happily, I am _his_ superior officer, which he will find out by looking at the _Navy List_, if he does not know it already;" and Murray directed a signal to be made to the _Anaconda_ to "Cease firing." Commander Allport, who still had not discovered that Murray was his superior, was at first inclined to pay no attention to the signal; till his first lieutenant, happening to know the true state of the case, brought him a _Navy List_, and pointed out to him Murray's date of promotion. "The old fellow is in the wrong box," whispered Desmond, he having observed what was taking place; "there's a chance after all for the little barkey." "Cease firing," cried Commander Allport. Directly afterwards Murray sent his second lieutenant to the _Anaconda_, with a request that the commander would come on board his ship to consult with him as to the best means of saving Her Majesty's ship _Flash_, now in sight on the rocks. The request, of course, amounted to an order, which Commander Allport, however unwillingly, obeyed.