tories in the ward-rooms of British and American sea-fighters
in European waters. It seems that not long before the destroyers were
due to arrive Captain Edward R. G. R. Evans, C.B., who was second in
command of the Scott Antarctic Expedition, came up the Thames on board
his battered destroyer, the _Broke_. Now, the _Broke_ on the night of
April 20, off Dover, had been engaged in an action which stands as one
of the glorious achievements at arms in the annals of sea-fighting. The
_Broke_ that night was attacked by six German destroyers and, after a
battle characterized by bulwark rasping against bulwark, by
boarding-parties, hand-to-hand fighting, and all the elements that make
the pages of Mayne Reid thrilling, defeated the six destroyers and
proceeded to port with flags flying.

With all this in mind the admiralty decided to pay the Americans the
distinguished compliment of attaching Captain Evans to the American
flag-ship as a sort of liaison officer. So when the American flotilla
was reported, the British hero set forth and in good time boarded the
flag-ship of the flotilla. He was accompanied by a young aide, and both
were received with all courtesy by the American commander. But the
British aide could see that the American had not associated his visitor
with the man whose laurels were still fresh not only as an explorer but
as a fighter.

There was talk of quarters for Captain Evans, and the American commander
seemed doubtful just where to put his guest. Finally he sent the British
officer below with a lieutenant to see what could be done. When the two
had disappeared Evans's aide turned to the American commander.

"I don't think," he said, flushing rather diffidently, "that you quite
grasped just who you have on board," and then with great distinctness he
added: "He is R. G. R. Evans. He--"

There came an exclamation from the American, and stepping forward he
seized the young officer by the shoulders.

"Do you mean to say that he is Evans of the _Broke_?" he cried.

As the Briton nodded and was about to speak, the American leaped from
his side, made the companion-ladder, and fairly tumbled below,
Approaching Captain Evans, he said:

"Captain Evans, my apologies; I didn't quite place you at first. I
merely wish to tell you now not to worry about quarters. I say this
because you are going to have my bunk--and I--I am going to sleep on the
floor."

And here is a little incident which occurred when the destr