There were just six weeks before the Vacations, and there was to be one day for each exam. The Gunnery day gave me only a clear fortnight--short notice, certainly; but I thought I would have a try for it, so as to be able to get clear away before the Vacation of July, and not have to begin again later in the year. I was allowed a room at the Naval College, and went daily to the _Excellent_ to work, besides having a crammer at lodgings in Portsea, to whom I repaired at 5 P.M., working with him until seven or eight. Sometimes I began again after dining at the College mess. Things looked bad when I went to the _Excellent_. The instructors told me I had no chance of getting through in a bare fortnight, and that I was evidently below the ordinary standard of knowledge. (No wonder, after so long a period of war and active service.) However, the eventful day arrived. I began at 10, and by 4 P.M. had got my fifteen crosses (mistakes), sixteen turning you back. Therefore, there was half a cross left; and the subject to be got through was Drilling Quarters--that is, a battery of guns. My poor crammer was very anxious: I had promised him an extra fiver if I got through. “Sir,” said he, “you have but one chance left, which is that you must give your orders as loud as possible and show all the confidence you can. You must chance your mistakes. Only, sing out, for God’s sake, sir, for all you are worth!” Whether my examiner (I can see him now pacing up and down the deck) was becoming tired of his day’s work, or whether he had a pity on me, considering the brink he knew I was standing on, I don’t know; but he seemed to keep some distance off. Once or twice the men at the guns helped me (when his back was turned) by giving me a hint or otherwise, as they knew whither they ought to go, if I had forgotten some detail in my order. At any rate, I yelled myself hoarse, pretending I knew all about it; and when this exercise was over and the retreat sounded, my crammer said to me, “I think it’s all right, sir.” Within an hour I was told I had just squeezed through: with fifteen crosses and a half out of a possible sixteen. Good enough for me: all I had wanted was to pass.