The ceremony being over, the flags were hoisted up, and it must be confessed that very little more was thought of or said about poor Commander Babbicome and his eccentricities. Captain Hemming and Murray then proceeded up to Kingston, where they were received with warm congratulations and highly complimented by the admiral. "I have already sent your despatch home," he said, turning to Alick, "and I have secured your promotion, I hope. In the meantime I intend to give you an acting order to take command of the corvette, and I shall be glad, Captain Hemming, to appoint any officer you can recommend to the _Supplejack_." The captain at once named Lieutenant Rogers. "I should have been glad to have suggested my first lieutenant, Mr Cherry, but I am unwilling to spare him, and I believe that he would rather continue as at present on board the frigate." On hearing that his young cousin was wounded, the admiral at once desired Murray to have him brought up to the Pen, if the doctor thought he could be moved, "and you, I suspect, will not object to a day or two's leave to enjoy a trip into the country," he added; "I shall be happy to see you on your return." Alick thanked the admiral, who advised him to set out forthwith, while he invited Captain Hemming to dinner. The boats were sent back, with directions that the wounded midshipman should be brought to the Pen the next day; and Murray, taking the admiral's advice, set off for Saint David's, hoping to arrive there before nightfall. CHAPTER SEVENTEEN. JACK ROGERS IN COMMAND OF THE SUPPLEJACK--ALICK'S LETTER TO JACK--THE CAYMANS--SHOAL OF TURTLE--DOLPHINS--CHASES A SLAVER--HAVANNAH--SCENES ON SHORE--SLAVERS IN HARBOUR--POLITE INVITATION FROM A SLAVE-DEALER--JACK ACCEPTS IT--THE VENUS SLIPS OUT OF HARBOUR. Sometime after the events related in the last chapter, Jack Rogers walked the deck of the _Supplejack_ as her commander, he having superseded Murray, who had been promoted, as every one acknowledged--a just reward for his gallantry at Carthagena. Higson had been made a lieutenant, and appointed to the _Tudor_, while Terence Adair had rejoined the _Plantagenet_. The commander who had been appointed to the corvette in the place of poor Captain Babbicome had fallen sick, and as there was every probability of his having to return to England, Jack had hopes that the admiral would appoint Murray to the command. "If I hadn't the _Supplejack_ I should have been delighted to serve under him," said Jack to Adair, who had come on board to see him. "I have no idea of a fellow being jealous of another's good fortune, for no one deserved his more than Alick Murray. I only wish that I may get the chance of doing something in the _Supplejack_; I won't throw it away if I can help it." "You will have more opportunity than I shall have aboard the frigate," answered Terence; "and I only wish that I could be with you or Murray, if he gets the command of the _Tudor_."