we three are devoted to Africa: one way or
another the Southern Cross is the constellation ascendant in each
of our three careers.

OUR LADY OF THE LAKE

We had been dining on the bridge of H.M.S. Kampala the captain,
the two ship's officers, the gunnery lieutenant and he who writes
this story. We had come in as it grew dark that August evening,
and anchored some few miles out from the German's great place.
For that great place a big gun, rumored or real, commanded
respect.

I suppose our main object on that patrol trip of ours was the
stopping of rice-running, the preservation of our lake blockade.
We had had some firing a few days ago at presumptive stores,
also at a dhow and lighter dimly descried (they were in the
papyrus-fringed labyrinth of a boat-passage). But of late we had
been lying up for the most part off a lonely island. Perhaps they
would think we were out of the way, perhaps not. We should see
what we should see.' I suppose that the gunnery lieutenant was
almost as sanguine of adventure as I was of humdrum peace in this
after-dinner hour on the darkened bridge. Adventure, or at least
what seemed to be its promising prelude arrived quite suddenly.

There was a sudden announcement to our captain about a light
being seen, a brief one-sided discussion, the whistle blowing for
'Stations,' the rattle of arms as the Indian ship's-guard fell
in. These all affected me with strange twinges of futile protest.
Surely there was a time for all things, and this was the time for
coffee and tobacco, not for disconcerting risks and detestable
noises. I wanted never to hear our four-inch gun again by
day. The idea of its shaking the peace of night to bits was
preposterous. Yet a light was reported ahead, a moving light on
the lake itself. 'You haven't much time, Craig,' I heard the
lieutenant cry to our captain. The engine-room bells rang
ominously, there was much puffing and spouting, then we were off.
I stole into a safe sort of corner, as corners went, by the
doctor's cabin. I edged out of the way of the Indian riflemen who
were sorting themselves, making ready for action. We were running
along somewhither. I didn't know much about our bearings, but I
had misgivings as to whether that big gun of the Germans was not
getting nearer. 'I've been thinking it may be a lure to draw us
on,' hazarded the Eurasian doctor by and by. That was just what
I'd been thinking. I was glad when the tension ceased suddenly,