d stands in
the prettiest place possible, with lovely country, sea and hills, to be
seen around.

But it is time for all to go back--the longest afternoons must end, and
the letter B, a square flag with a red middle, which is hoisted to
recall them, is already displayed on the _Britannia's_ mast.

A bell in the cricket-field says "play is over," and down they go in
twos and threes to find the same big boats ready to take them back.

It has been a fine afternoon, and the field and sports have looked at
their best. But if it had rained hard, and when the cadets came out from
dinner, or from study, they had found the words "No Landing!" hanging by
the ship's clock, there would have been no such fun. It is a long
afternoon when it rains, and they are tied to the ship.

Tea at seven, or a quarter past--a merry meal with all the stories of
the day to tell. Sometimes an accident--a boy has fallen down the cliff,
or been hit in the field--will throw a damp over all. Sometimes they
will be all alive with the discussion of a piece of news--there is to
be a war. In six months some of them will be fighting. Sometimes an
adventure, an irate farmer has caught two in his wheat, and has chased
them and possessed himself of a cap. They will see that cap next
morning, and its owner will be standing on the aft deck at 8.45 for
judgment.

In the winter there is a pack of beagles, which lead the cadets a fine
chase over the country.

"Oh! they are spoiled, these boys!" you will say. But wait till you see
them, in a year's time, broiling under a tropical sun, cruising for
weeks in a boat after slavers, and living on a short allowance of dry
food and water. These young fellows are welcome to a happy life while
they can get it.

For tea they have cold meat, or something else substantial. After tea,
work for those who have it to do, in two studies, which are kept quiet,
or in the mess-room.

The band plays, and some cadets dance with one another on the open
middle deck.

And at a quarter past nine, prayers are read in the mess-room, and the
bugle sounds "Turn in."

And the ship is silent till the day begins again.

ANDY'S BRAVE DEED.

[Illustration]

"ARTHUR! Arthur!" Kitty called, as she ran down the garden path.

Her brother was lying under the beech-trees at the foot of the garden. A
copy-book lay on the grass before him, in which he was writing with a
pencil. Arthur wrote poems, and histories, and tragedies, which