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on special parade. and inspecting the massive cannon, up one of which. to our keen delight, a mischievous sailor made his way and, showed a grimy face at the cannon, mouth. Then with that bewildering rapidity characteristic of the "movies" we were "switched" away to the Kiel Canal to watch the German battle-cruisers and the treacherous U-boats move up and down upon their own safe waters; and ere we left the German base there came over the sea a hospital-ship bearing wounded prisoners of war back to the Fatherland, and we felt sorry that these cheery men; smiling in spite of their disablements, must be our enemies. However, we were glad to be borne back to the wild North Sea and watch the French fleet practising—firing the broadsides, launching the torpedoes, lowering the lifeboats, rising and sinking in the submarines, and hauling up and down the flag signals upon the great dreadnoughts. A fresh invigoration wind was blowing -as we left the rolling torpedo boats behind and ploughed our way homeward, with the heaving waters sweeping our decks, and the shivering spray dashing high into our rigging. We arrived in the English port again in time to watch His Majesty confer upon some of our gallant seamen the honour of knighthood, and, also watch him pin the medals for service on many a proud sailor's breast. Before we left our hearts joined with the boys of the Navy on the cruiser's crowded deck, when they gave three rousing cheers, for His Majesty and three more for those who had learned to know that "One crowded hour of glorious life is worth an age without a name." We are deeply indebted to the Navy League for such a pleasurable and instructive afternoon, and we assure them that through this our interest in the Navy will be greatly intensified. |