“Yes, I promise.”

“To no one?”

“To no one.”

“Not even to the paroquette Fritz gave you?”

“No, not even to my paroquette.”

“Well, it is very likely I shall speak about it in my dreams—­you listen and find it out.”

“Slyboots!”

“Curiosity!”

Like those delicate flowers that shrink when they are touched, each then turned to her own side; but it would have cost both too much not to have fallen asleep as usual, with their arms round each other’s necks;—­consequently this tiff soon blew over, and, after a prolonged chat, their lips finally joined in the concluding “Good-night.”

CHAPTER VI.

THE QUEEN’S DOLL—­ROCKHOUSE TO FALCON’S NEST—­THE WIND—­GLASSES—­ADMIRAL HOMER—­THE THREE FROGS—­OAT JELLY—­ESQUIMAUX ASTRONOMY—­AN UNKNOWN.

Next morning, Sophia came running in with a sealed letter in her hand, which she opened and read as follows:—­

    “HEAD QUARTERS, SAFETY BAY, DAYBREAK.

    “The Admiral commanding the Fleet stationed in Safety Bay to her
    Most gracious Majesty Sophia, Queen of Great Britain and Ireland.

    “May it please your Majesty,

“The crews of your Majesty’s yachts, the Elizabeth and the Morse, are quite entire and in perfect health.  The enemy having kept at a respectful distance, we have not had as yet an opportunity of proving our courage and devotion.  Mr. Midshipman Jack fell asleep on the carriage of a four-pounder, like Marshal Turenne before his first battle; but, in all other respects, the conduct of the officers has been most exemplary, and merits the utmost commendation.

“It is the admiral’s intention to push out a reconnaissance towards the east, in the direction of Pearl Bay, which he has not yet explored.  If, however, your Majesty should regard this expedition as likely to interfere with the good understanding that subsists between that government and your own, it will be only necessary to fire a gun, in which case we shall return to port.  Under other circumstances, the squadron will proceed with the enterprise, and endeavor to obtain a collar for your Majesty’s doll.”

“For my doll!” exclaimed Sophia angrily; “when did Jack find out that I had a doll?”

“Is that, then, your secret?” inquired her mother.

“Yes, mamma, Master Jack took a pigeon with him for the express purpose of playing me this trick.”

“And what is worse, included yourself in the conspiracy.  Dreadful!”

“Is it not—­to speak of a young person of thirteen’s doll?”

“Say nearer fourteen, my dear.”

“Therefore, to punish your confederates, I shall fire a gun, and put a stop to their excursion,” said Becker, turning to one of the six-pounders that flanked Rockhouse in the direction of the river.