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.
"Clemency being one of the dearest rights of the royal prerogative," replied Sophia, "I shall pardon them, and I pray you not; to throw any obstacle in the way of their expedition." "Very good, your Majesty; but there are state reasons which should be allowed to overrule the impulses of your heart; those gentlemen have forgotten that we were to go and lay the first stone, or rather to cut, to-day, the first branch of your aerial residence at Falcon's Nest." Admiral Willis and his officers having obeyed the preconcerted signal, the whole party started on their land enterprise.