ere not
pursued, and all arrived safely at Wei-hai-wei without any mishap
whatever.

Ting now hoisted the signal to clear for action, and a scene of bustle
and orderly confusion at once ensued. All the boats belonging to the
squadron were hoisted out and lowered, and the _San-chau_ went the
rounds, collecting them all. Having done this, she took them in tow and
steamed slowly away to the westward, so as to be out of the way when the
hostile fleets presently came to grips.

Stanchions were taken down and stowed away, the magazines were opened,
ammunition placed in the hoists, the guns loaded, and the fire-hose
connected and laid along the decks, which were thoroughly drenched to
lessen the possibility of fire. Buckets of fresh water for the use of
thirsty and wounded men were placed in convenient positions round the
decks; and lastly, all the lighter and loose furnishings in the cabins,
ward-rooms, and gun-rooms were taken down and put out of the way, to
avoid their being smashed through the terrific vibration when the great
guns began to fire.

The fire-control officers made their way with their range-finding
instruments into the fire-control tops, the captains went to their
conning-towers, and word was sent below to the engine-room staff warning
them of what was coming, so that steam might never be lacking. Finally,
the shell-proof gratings were slid over the engine-room hatches,
watertight doors were closed, and in grim silence the Chinese fleet
steamed ahead, waiting for the word which would start the mighty guns
roaring and the great, armour-piercing shells hurtling through the air
on their errand of destruction.

By the time these preparations were complete, the Japanese fleet had
approached closely enough to allow of its various units being easily
distinguished through a telescope from the level of the deck; and
Frobisher observed that the largest ships were placed at the starboard
extremity of the long line, the smallest and weakest being at the other
end. The size of the cruiser nearest the Chinese fleet he estimated at
about nine thousand tons; then came two of about seven thousand, then
two more, of six thousand or so, then three of four thousand; and next
five small cruisers and gunboats, ranging from one thousand to two
thousand tons. Besides these there were four destroyers of about three
hundred and fifty tons; and he guessed that the fighting speed of the
fleet would be about twelve or thirteen