Though Stella would have gladly set off at once for her relations the Bradshaws, she could not refuse the admiral's kind invitation. He drove her up to the Pen, where Higson and the midshipmen followed. Stella was kindly received, and as little as possible was said to recall the painful scenes she had gone through. The admiral, with Murray's despatches before him, questioned Higson as to further particulars, and then made the midshipmen recount their adventures to his wife and daughters, being especially amused at the way Desmond roused up the vice-consul and his household. Tom ever afterwards declared that he was the most jolly old officer he had ever met with--excepting, of course, Admiral Triton. "I see, Mr Higson, that Lieutenant Murray speaks in the highest terms of your bravery and courage in this affair," said the admiral. "I have great pleasure, therefore, in giving you an acting order as Third Lieutenant of the _Plantagenet_; and I have no doubt that when the affair is known at the Admiralty, it will be confirmed; and I can congratulate you on the step, which has been entirely gained by your own merits." Higson felt his heart jump nearly into his mouth; for often before as he had expected promotion he had been disappointed, and he had almost given up hopes of obtaining it. He thanked the admiral warmly. "Say no more about it, mon," he answered. "I wish that I could reward every one on board the _Supplejack_ as they deserved. You may possibly before long have an opportunity of distinguishing yourself, and I am very sure that I shall hear a good account of you." Captain Hemming soon afterwards went up to the Pen, when he received fresh instruction as to his course of proceeding. Instead of going direct to Nicaragua as he had before been ordered to do, he was to touch Carthagena to settle the affair of the capture of the Carthagenan fleet, and the recapture of the merchantman; it being considered that a visit of two or three ships of war might somewhat assist in bringing the diplomatic part of the transaction to a satisfactory conclusion. When the midshipmen went to wish goodbye to Stella, she had a letter for Murray, which she entrusted to Archy Gordon. "You may depend on me for delivering it safely; for I should otherwise never be able to look my cousin in the face," he answered. After an early dinner the admiral dismissed them. Higson wished to get several things in Kingston before they returned on board; he had also to deliver over the brig to the agent, who had to find a fresh crew in lieu of the men-of-war's men, and some of the others who volunteered for the frigate. It was thus past midnight when they got on board. Higson received the hearty congratulation of his old messmates as well as those of the midshipmen whose berth he was leaving.