zest to the chase, a famous
netting. Enrolled to Special Service, they engaged the enemy at his
doorstep and patrolled the areas of his outset. Undaunted by the odds,
deterred by no risk or threat, they ranged and searched the sea-channels
and cleared the lanes for our safe passage. To detect, to warn, to meet
and counter-charge the submarine in his depths, to safeguard the narrow
seas from hazard of the mines, was all in the day's work of the
_Temporary_ R.N.R.

Throughout all the enrolments, the divisions, the changes, and the
training for new and special duties, there was no easing of the engines:
we effected our adjustments and allotments under a full head of steam.
All that the enemy could do could not prevent the steady reinforcement
of our arms, the passage of our men, the transport of our trade. The
long lines of our sea-communications remained unbroken, despite our
losses and the grim spectre of the raft and the open boat. It could not
be otherwise--and Britain stand. There could be no halt in the
sea-traffic. Only from abroad could we draw supplies to raise the new
leaguer of our island garrison; only by way of the sea could we retain
and renew our strength.

In time the intolerable shackles of inactive resistance were struck from
our hands. Somewhat tardily we were supplied with weapons of defence and
instructed in their use and maintainance. We went to school again, under
tutelage of the Naval Service, and drew a helpful assistance from the
tale of their courses since we had parted company. We were heartened by
the new spirit of co-operation with the fighting service. Ungrudgingly
they lent experts to direct our movement. They turned a stream of their
inventive talent in the ways of gear and apparatus to protect our ships.
They shipped our ordnance, and supplied skilled gunners to leaven our
rude crews. More, they helped to strip the veneer of convention that
hampered us--our devotion to standard practice in rules and lights and
equipment. We learned our lessons. Even though the peaceful years had
lessened our fighting spring, we had lost no aptitude for service of the
guns in defence of our rights, nor for measure to deceive or evade.
Armed and alert, we returned to the sea, confident in the discard of a
weight in our handicap. We could strike back, and with no feeble
blow--as the pirates soon learned.

There were scores to settle. _Palm Branch_, belying her tranquil name,
took a payment in full for her