and affirmatives are bundled out indiscriminately, if indeed
the mouth can be induced to open itself at all, or to frame any speech.
However, in one department, at least, he got as good as he gave. Whilst
visiting the magazine he suddenly gave the order, "fire on the flat!"
The gunner's mate in charge of the magazine, whom we will call "Topper,"
immediately closed the hatch and stood on guard over it. Turning around,
the admiral said "I want to go into the magazine;" but observing that
"Topper" still stood motionless, he again repeated the order. "You
can't, sir," was the rejoinder, "because there is fire in the flat."
"Oh! very well," replied the admiral, "cease fire!" With great
promptitude and despatch the hatch was removed, and the admiral prepared
to descend, but was once more checked, and was informed that if he
complied with the magazine regulations, and left his shoes and sword
behind, he might do so. He fared no better down below, I believe, and
left the magazine perfectly satisfied with the conduct of affairs in
that region.

A few days before sailing, a suggestion made by Mr. Robinson, the
officer whose kindnesses I have had occasion to note before, met with
universal favor. For a very small sum each man, a telegram was sent to
Mr. R----'s agent in London, in the following words--"When will
'Audacious' commission, and probably sail?" For three days nothing else
was spoken of, and various were the speculations as to the answer. It
came--"Early September." Very short, but to the point, though to some
rather ambiguous. To which did the answer refer, the _commissioning_, or
the _sailing_? Reason implied the former, as, knowing it, the latter
might be inferred. A subsequent telegram set the matter at rest.

April 19th.--After a more than ordinarily long stay at Hong Kong, to-day
sees us clearing out of the harbour on our projected summer cruise. The
following ships besides ourselves comprised the squadron--"Curacoa,"
"Encounter," "Albatross," "Swift," "Daring," and "Foxhound," with the
"Vigilant" and "Zephyr," which accompanied us out of the harbour. On
parting company with the admiral we shaped course for Manilla, the
admiral being specially careful to give Captain Tracey injunctions not
to forget to bring him 2,000 cigars from that place. We were then
sailing under sealed orders.

April 24th.--This morning, having sent the "Swift" back to Hong Kong,
the sealed orders were opened, and, to the surprise of everyb