"Do you know, Jack, I do verily believe that there sits no other than Bully Pigeon," he whispered. "What can he be doing down here?" The stranger, seeing them looking at him, got up, and approaching them with his hand extended, said-- "What, do I see some old friends? Rogers! Adair! Very glad to see you. How de do? How de do? You remember me, surely. I'm Pigeon." Thus addressed, it would not have been in the nature of either of the two midshipmen to have refused to shake hands with their old schoolfellow, bully though he had been. They invited him to join them; and when they had dined they all three sat over their wine together, talking merrily of former days. "I'm going out to China in the diplomatic line," observed Pigeon, in his old tone. "I have a notion that I shall be able to manage the Celestials. There are few people who can deceive me." These, and a few other similar remarks, showed that Pigeon in one respect was little changed from what he had been in his early days. When or how he was going out to China he did not say. They had been chatting away for some time when another cab rattled up to the inn, and presently at the door of the coffee-room who should appear, to the delight of Rogers and Adair, but Murray himself. They dragged him into the room, each eager to know what ship he was come to join. Paddy gave a shout of delight when he heard that he was appointed to the _Dugong_. He told them besides that she was certainly under orders for China, to sail as soon as ready for sea, and that the _Blenny_ was also to be sent there. The old schoolfellows, as may be supposed, passed a very pleasant evening, their pleasure being heightened with the anticipation of being together in whatever work they might be engaged. Even Bully Pigeon was sufferable (as Paddy observed), if he was not altogether agreeable. He had a number of strange adventures to narrate, of which he was the hero. Although his accounts were not implicitly believed, it was agreed that, at all events, they were possible, which was somewhat in his favour. Two weeks after this, her Majesty's ships _Dugong_ and _Blenny_ were gliding under all sail across the Bay of Biscay. "The frigate looks something like a dowager with her small daughter following in her wake, sir," observed Jack, glancing his eye from the brig to her big consort, as he walked the deck with his captain. "We must try and make the little daughter win a name for herself out among the Celestials," said Captain Hemming in return. "That we will, sir, if we get the chance," answered Jack. "Ay, Rogers, but we must make the chance," remarked his captain with emphasis. "So we will, sir," said Jack warmly. "There is not a man on board who'll not be glad of it."