run to a sheltered creek at St.
Mawes. The icy, biting spray, scattered at every plunge of our
ground-fast barque, left no corner of the deck unsearched, and, after a
half-hearted attempt to keep us going, the Mate was forced to order
'stand by.' In half-deck and fo'cas'le we gathered round the red-hot
bogies, and talked happily of the voyage's end, of the pay-table, of
resolves to stop there when we had come ashore.

Then came the night, at anchor-watch. Tramping for a brief hour, two
together, sounding, to mark that she did not drive a-lee; listening to
the crash of seas, the harping of the rigging, to the _thrap, thrap_ of
wind-jarred halliards; struggling to the rigging at times, to put
alight an ill-burning riding lamp; watching the town lights glimmer
awhile, then vanish as quick succeeding squalls of snow enwrapped the
Bay. A brief spell of duty, not ill-passed, that made the warmth of
the half-deck and the red glow of the bogie fire more grateful to
return to.

As day broke the gale was at its height. Out of a bleak and
threatening west the wind blew ominously true--a whole gale,
accompanied by a heavy fall of snow. There could be no boat
communication with the shore in such a wind, but, as soon as the light
allowed, we engaged the Signal Station with a string of flags, and
learnt that our orders had not yet come to hand, that they would be
communicated by signal, if received during the day.

After we had re-stowed sails and secured such gear and tackle as had
blown adrift in the night, 'stand by' was again the order, reluctantly
given, and all hands took advantage of the rare circumstance of spare
time and a free pump to set our clothes cleanly and in order.

Near noon the Mate spied fluttering wisps of colour rising on the
signal yard ashore. Steadying himself in a sheltered corner, he read
the hoist: W.Q.H.L.--our number.

"Aft here, you boys, an' hand flags," he shouted. Never was order more
willingly obeyed; we wanted to know.

The news went round that our orders had come. With bared arms,
dripping of soapsuds, the hands came aft, uncalled, and the Mate was
too busy with telescope and signal-book to notice (and rebuke) the
general muster of expectant mariners.

As our pennant was run up, the hoist ashore was hauled down, to be
replaced by a new. The Mate read out the flags, singly and distinct,
and turned to the pages of the signal-book.

"'You--are--ordered--to--proceed--to'--Answering