"He’ll be careful in future, I reckon, cousin. I must run over to Portsmouth after lunch and report to Admiral Horniman. I suppose I’d better keep Gudgeon’s name out?"
"Certainly, my lad. You’ve snuffed out smuggling here—for the present; it is bound to begin again some day; but you may depend upon it that for a long time to come we’re all king’s men here, Gudgeon included."
It was a fortnight before Jack returned to the Grange. Then he came in a high state of excitement.
"Admiral Horniman is a jolly old brick!" he cried, after greeting his cousins. "What do you think he’s done?"
"Pretty nearly!" returned Jack with a laugh. "No, he’s written up a thumping report to the lords of the Admiralty, and got ’em to ’do a thing that’s as rare as—as—"
"Why, to let me off three years’ service as a mid, and also the examination for lieutenant. Look here! here’s my commission!" He flourished a paper, and cried for three cheers for Admiral Horniman. "And that’s not all. I’ve got no end of prize-money for capturing the French brig, and retaking the _Fury_, and collaring the smugglers’ stuff. My share alone comes to over a thousand pounds. And they’ve taken two French privateers and sunk another off Fowey. The signals worked splendidly; they were trying to cut out a disabled ship that wasn’t there! The admiral’s going to put in a claim to prize-money for me. He is a brick!"
"Oh, I say!" cried Arthur. "Don’t I wish I was you!"
"I’m glad for dad’s sake. He hasn’t been over well off since he had to retire from the East India Company’s service, owing to that wretched illness of his, and I’m afraid he had to pinch a bit for me. But now that’s all changed. I shan’t cost him another penny piece."
"Bravo! Arthur, you young dog, remember that, and hand over a thousand pounds to me when I’m bound for the poorhouse. Well, Jack, I congratulate you, my boy."
"But that’s not all, cousin. I’ve kept the best for the last. Open your eyes! I’m appointed to the _Victory_, and sail to join Nelson in a week! Won’t we pepper the French! Won’t we win a glorious victory! Oh! cousin, isn’t it the finest thing in the world to serve your king and country!"
"If you please, sir," said the butler, putting his head in at the door, "Joe Gumley is outside, asking for Mr. Hardy."