Part 5 (1/2)

Many of the wounded, both among our own people and the French prisoners on board the _Ocean Pride_, died and were buried as the s.h.i.+p sailed on; but the strength of Jack's Highland const.i.tution a.s.serted itself, and he was at last p.r.o.nounced by M'Hearty to be out of danger, very much to Tom Fairlie's delight.

His wounds had been very grievous--a sabre-cut on the skull and a spent bullet that had injured his left arm.

When the s.h.i.+p reached Portsmouth and the country rang with the news of Sir Sidney's bright little action, when the papers gave a list of the dead and wounded and extolled Jack's bravery, and when private information from headquarters informed the general that his son would be gazetted post-captain, then the old Highlander's cup of bliss seemed full.

”Look at that,” he cried, with the joy-tears in his eyes; ”read that letter, Flora dear. My boy, my brave boy! I shall go right away to Portsmouth and meet him, and you shall come and nurse him. My brave, good lad! What care we for money, Flo? The Mackenzies have their swords!”

On the arrival of the _Ocean Pride_ in port, Jack had been sent to sh.o.r.e quarters for a time, and Tom determined to share his rooms.

Jack was very cheerful, for he had almost forgotten his dream.

Now Mr. Keane had determined to play his cards as well as he knew how to. The baronet had become indisposed, but the astute lawyer had invited him down to his little place in the country, and he had taken Gerty home too.

At the time of the _Pride's_ arrival in Portsmouth there was no engagement between Gerty and Sir Digby. All that she had really promised her father since Richards had told her that fairy story was that she would try to learn to love Sir Digby all she could, and when a little older would marry him; so Keane was content.

This, however, did not prevent him sending a confidential clerk down to interview Jack. And the following is the bomb-sh.e.l.l Saunders the clerk, obeying orders, fired:--

”Mr. Keane just sent me down to ask about you and convey all sorts of kind messages. Especially did he bid me a.s.sure you that he had not spoken to your father about the little account, and that he is in no hurry for the money. Indeed, the approaching marriage of his daughter is at present absorbing all his attention.

”Why, what is the matter, Captain Mackenzie?” continued the clerk, noticing the staggering effect his words had on poor Jack.

”Nothing, nothing much. A little faint, that is all. Leave me now, Mr.

Saunders. Tell Mr. Fairlie I would speak with him.”

Tom ran in. He found Jack lying helpless on the sofa, white and trembling. But he soon recovered sufficiently to speak.

”My dream, my dream, Tom; it has all come true.”

Tom Fairlie sat long beside his friend, giving him all the comfort he could think of, and that really was not a great deal. Things might not be quite as the clerk had represented them. Gerty _could_ not be so cruel. From all he--Jack--had told him, he seemed to know her thoroughly. Jack must see her and learn his fate from her own lips.

This and much more said Tom Fairlie.

[Ill.u.s.tration: ”_This good blade shall be my bride._”

Page 58.]

But for a time never a word said Jack.

He rose from the couch at last, and going quietly to the corner, took up his sword and drew it.

”Tom,” he said boldly, ”pardon me if I seem to act stagy, I am _not_ acting. We Mackenzies are a wild and headstrong lot, and too proud, I own, by far. We cannot help our nature. But here in your presence I vow that now this good blade shall be my bride; that I'll be true to her, and she as true as steel to me.”

”Bravo, Jack!” cried M'Hearty, bursting into the room; ”I've heard it all. And now, my lad, I bring you good tidings. I've run all the way from the port-admiral's office to be the very first to shake hands with Post-Captain Jack Mackenzie.”

CHAPTER VI.

A BOLT FROM THE BLUE.

”O Life! how pleasant in thy morning, Young Fancy's rays the hills adorning.”

BURNS.