for
instance, of having brought about the disaster to the transport
_Kowshing_, when she had been sunk by the Japanese cruiser _Naniwa_,
with over a thousand Chinese troops on board.

Admiral Ting had not allowed his oath to slip his memory, and the old
fellow, gentle, kindly, and courteous though he was to his friends,
could be very vindictive when it came to dealing with evil-doers,
especially criminals of the hardened, remorseless type which Prince Hsi
had proved himself to be. He was only biding his time, as events were
very soon to prove.

One evening Frobisher received a polite message from the admiral that
his presence would be required on board the flagship at ten o'clock on
the following morning, and so did the other captains and first
lieutenants. Consequently, at the hour named, Captains Foster, James,
Frobisher, and Quen-lung, of the _Chen Yuen, Shan-si, Chih' Yuen_, and
_Hat-yen_ respectively, together with their first officers, found
themselves assembled in Admiral Ting's cabin on board the flagship, each
of them attired in full-dress uniform and wearing their side-arms. The
admiral himself was also present, dressed in the fullest of full dress,
and wearing all his various Chinese orders and decorations; while the
cabin door was guarded on each side by a Chinese sailor with drawn
cutlass.

The room had been cleared of most of its usual furnishings, and a plain,
long and narrow oak table had been placed in the centre, with chairs
sufficient to accommodate the little party of officers assembled. At a
short distance from the table there was placed another chair, standing
by itself, the use of which was to be discovered presently.

As soon as the last officer had arrived, Admiral Ting explained that
they were met together to sit in judgment on the person of Prince Hsi, a
member of the royal house of China, and lately captain of the battleship
_Ting Yuen_, the said officer being accused of treachery to his country,
mutiny, and desertion to the enemy during the time of battle. The
accuser was, for official purposes, the first lieutenant of the _Ting
Yuen_, an officer of high birth and proved integrity, who had also been
struck down and confined below by Prince Hsi's mutinous sailors.
Admiral Ting himself intended to act as Judge Advocate; and the other
captains and officers made up the court, their opinions as to the guilt
or innocence of the accused to be taken after the hearing of the case,
beginnin