She herself saw the propriety of this, and made no demur. "I can trust you confidently to the care of Mr Higson and your former young protectors," he said, as he made the proposal. "As soon as duty will allow me I hope to return to Jamaica, and then I trust that nothing will occur to prevent me from making you mine, and giving me the right to protect and watch over you." Scarcely half an hour had elapsed after this before Stella was once more on board the _Sarah Jane_. Sail was made, the anchor lifted, and the brig with a fair wind glided out of the harbour. Murray continued on board her as far as he could venture to sea, but as he dared not be long absent from the _Supplejack_, he was at length compelled to return. CHAPTER FIFTEEN. STELLA AND THE MIDSHIPMEN SAIL FOR JAMAICA IN THE SARAH JANE--VOYAGE-- ARRIVAL--JACK'S DELIGHT AT RECOVERING TOM--STELLA GOES TO THE BRADSHAWS--HIGSON PROMOTED--THE PLANTAGENET AND TUDOR SAIL FOR CARTHAGENA--THEY QUICKLY SETTLE ALL DIFFICULTIES--PROCEED TO THE MOSQUITO SHORE--BOAT EXPEDITION UP THE SAN JUAN DE NICARAGUA--NIGHT ENCAMPMENT--VISIT OF A PUMA--A CHASE--SCENERY OF THE RIVER--BIRDS AND MONKEYS--VOYAGE CONTINUED--AN UNPLEASANT BED ON AN ANTHILL--APPROACHING THE ENEMY--A SAD ACCIDENT--ALARM--THE CAPTAIN ATTEMPTS TO RESCUE THE DROWNING MEN--DOES NOT RETURN. The _Sarah Jane_ meeting with fine weather and a fair wind glided rapidly across the Caribbean Sea. Higson felt proud of his first command, and soon gained that self-confidence which long years spent in a subordinate position had made him doubt that he possessed. The midshipmen supported him well, and Needham, who acted as boatswain,--and a more thorough man-of-war's-man never stepped,--assisted to keep the rest of the crew in good order. Tom Rogers was declared "First Lieutenant," and he walked the deck with all the air and consequence of one. He had already become a fair navigator, and Higson could depend on his calculations. Gordon was dubbed the "Master," and it was voted that Desmond should be "Second Lieutenant." "I say," exclaimed Tom, "we ought to have a doctor, and so I propose that we give Master Spider the rating, since we haven't got a better one to fill the post; he at all events won't drench his patients with physic, and if he has to bleed them he will do it artistically with his teeth." So Spider was dubbed "Doctor" from henceforth. Higson appointed Archy Gordon also to do the duties of "Purser," so that he had plenty of occupation.