CHAPTER XIII.

THE RETURN TO DUTY.--SURF WAVES, WEST AFRICA.

N various ways the word passed round. "Lieutenant Steymore is coming out again!" "Fred Steymore is coming back!"

"Our Fred with nose so red?"

sneeringly said an officer, who was suffering from a bilious attack of fever, but he was promptly sat upon by the others, who would not tolerate such sarcasm; they favoured the more palatable way in which a jolly member of the officers' mess held up a wine-glass, saying:

"In spite of all thy faults I love thee still. Here's to the health of Lieutenant Frederic Steymore. May his shadow never grow less, and may his bones never whiten on Afric's burning shore; nor may he go to Davy Jones' locker till his duty's finished here below, then may his soul go aloft * * [Chorus.]

**

"For he's a jolly good fellow!

For he's a jolly good fellow!

For he's a jolly good fell-l-ow,

That no one can deny.

With a Hip! Hip! Hip! Hurrah-h-h!

With a Hip! Hip! Hip! Hurrah-h-h-h-h!"

All the officers joined in the chorus, firstly in a

drawl, but, warming up, and rising to the occasion, they made the Hurrah's in such a vigorous manner, that had the walls of Jericho been near they must have fallen down flat; as it was the glasses jingled, and the "hurrah" was infectious at the finish, for the men on the lower deck in their messes caught up the refrain: "Fred Steymore is coming again. Hurrah! Hurrah!"

This information had preceded him, by letters in the mail steamer which met the warship H.M.S. Cobra, at anchor off Lagos. The latter ship then proceeded up the coast under steam to Sierra Leone, to await the arrival of the warship from home bringing out fresh drafts of officers and men to replace others who had died or invalided home.

Commander Taffrell walked the bridge of H.M.S. Cobra under the awning, looking out and around at the smooth expanse of the blue ocean, which reflected as in a mirror the cloudless bright blue sky above. The officer on duty, in charge of the watch, was an "Acting-Lieutenant," who had been sub-lieutenant in one of the other cruisers, and his smiling face made an excuse for a cheerful pet name amongst his brother officers. He was more often called "Smiler" than by his right name, which was York. Acting-Lieutenant York, to give him his full title, had very little to do that bright afternoon, and was very glad of his Commander's company on the bridge. They had been eight days quietly cruising up the coast, and expected before sunset to arrive in Sierra Leone River, and anchor off the town.

Groups of men were at work in various ways, repainting in some places, and cleaning paint-work,

and polishing brass and wood-work, in a contented and rather sleepy frame of mind; for the day was a pleasant one, yet rather warm, although the heat was much modified by the onward movement of the vessel, which caused a gentle zephyr to circulate about the upper deck, under the awning, and through the windsails down to the lower deck, and various hidden depths of the internal construction of the vessel.

Land was visible as a blue line ahead, and on the starboard bow. The ship's head was pointing steadily to one particular spot which, by the aid of a telescope, might soon be seen to show up as the lighthouse at the entrance of the Sierra Leone river.

This was rapidly approached and with a flood-tide, the beautiful vessel swept by, then rapidly passed on, up the river. The trees and foliage extended to the water's edge in prolific luxuriance, until after passing various points the town was seen spread out to view.

In front of the wharves and warehouses, abreast of the square-towered church, which does duty as cathedral, there the good ship plunged her anchor, and swinging round with the tide, "brought-to," and was

at rest.

Commander Taffrell ordered his gig to be manned and immediately proceeded to call upon the British Governor, whose mansion stood on the summit of one of the hills overlooking the town. The chief engineer and paymaster also went to enquire about coal, and ship's stores which were required. But most of the officers were quite contented to look at the shore and town from the river anchorage; they felt that restful feeling which takes possession of one the first night in any anchorage after arrival.

In the morning, Middy Taffrell, his friend "Tips," and a few more officers, including "Smiler," went with the early market boat, at five o'clock, to land and walk to a very remarkable pool of very clean fresh water, where bathing was a delight. This is a most romantic spot; the large pond of water is surrounded by a thickly growing plantation of tall bamboos, and after recently riding upon the rolling swells of the Atlantic, to find one's way into this cool and delightful retreat, and plunge into the cool and sweet water, is indeed refreshing. To this happy secluded place the young officers found their way every morning, and after enjoying their bathe, and morning walk, they returned in time for the breakfast in their officers' mess. Some were from the wardroom, and some from the gun-room.

Middy Taffrell had been with his father, the commander, to call upon the Governor. By invitation from the latter they went the next day to hear the band of the West India regiment, outside Government House, and to meet various military and other friends. One generous Captain in the regiment offered the young Middy the use of two horses the next day, and other days to follow, for himself and a friend to ride So Middy Taffrell, and his friend "Tips," were regularly at the pier every day, unless prevented by duty, at 4 o'clock, and there they were met by an African groom, with two beautiful horses that they rode upon for two hours in the surrounding neighbourhood.

on.

They also dined once with the military officers; thus the time passed pleasantly whilst the ship waited the arrival of the outward bound warship with fresh

drafts of officers and men from home. H.M.S. Cobra had taken in a full stock of provisions, enough for several months, and filled her bunkers with coal, so that she looked well trimmed and prepared for any service. Her rigging had been examined, well attended to, and shrouds, stays, backstays had been "set up" and the ship looked a picture of marine beauty.

One forenoon the signalman reported a steamer coming in-first the smoke on the horizon was seen, then the warship, H.M.S. Rattler, made her number by signal, and soon came to an anchor. She was homeward bound, but in great distress, for the dread disease, yellow fever, had been contracted from a vessel she had boarded in the usual way to examine her and prevent the trade in slaves. Three officers and fourteen men, who had expected shortly to be at home again in the old country, had died and were buried in the ocean. They had not been left even one Lieutenant, so the Commander had put in to Sierra Leone to see if he could meet there another warship, and secure at least one Lieutenant for duty on the way home.

The hasty deliberations between the two Captains resulted in Lieutenant York being immediately ordered to join the homeward bound warship H.M.S. Rattler. He was very prompt to obey, and in halfan-hour his sea-chest was swung over the side by yard and stay tackles, and he himself took his seat in the boat with his usual happy smile which broadened into a grin as his own particular friends called out to him "Keep on smiling."

Smiler answered, "I am now homeward bound, and I have something to laugh at.”