process of time I arrived at Besika Bay, and here I found the British
fleet at anchor. Of course I had been aware of its presence there, and
felt some pleasure in contemplating a visit to some of the ships, in
several of which I had friends. It was with great surprise that I found
the _Thunderer_ among the war-ships assembled in the Bay. I had never
heard of her having left England, though I had been told that her
sister-ship the _Devastation_ was at Besika.

Remembering the injunction of my friend Biquitous, I went on board the
_Thunderer_, and was hospitably received by the captain. He had only
time, however, to shake hands and beg me to make myself at home. There
was obviously something of importance about to happen, for great
activity prevailed among officers and men. It seemed to my untutored
eye as if they were getting up steam and preparing for some sort of
expedition. The captain did not invite me to accompany them;
nevertheless I went. It was not long before the object of the
expedition was revealed. A monster Russian ironclad, it was said, lay
somewhere "outside." We were sent to observe her. In the evening we
sighted her. There was another Russian war-ship--a frigate--close to
her. The ironclad was similar to ourselves: a long low hull--a couple
of turrets with a central "flying" structure or "hurricane-deck." We
made straight towards her. The bugle sounded and the crew was called to
quarters.

"My dear sir," said I to the captain, "has war been declared between
England and Russia?"

The captain made no reply. On repeating the question anxiously he
merely said--

"Never mind!"

I was surprised, almost hurt, and greatly perplexed, for the captain was
noted for politeness and urbanity, but of course I retired at once.

Next moment I saw a puff of smoke burst from the side of the Russian
ironclad, and a shot leaped towards us. Its size was such that we could
trace it from the muzzle of the gun. Describing, as I thought (for
strange is the power of thought), a rather high trajectory, it passed
over us and plunged into the sea with a swish that sent hundreds of tons
of water like an inverted cascade into the air. A gush of indignation
filled my breast. That the warship of a nation with which we were at
peace should fire at us without provocation was more than I could
endure.

"Are you going to stand _that_, captain?" I asked, with an
uncontrollable gush of indignation at the Russian'