“Lads! war is declared; with a bold and numerous enemy to meet. “Should they offer us battle, you know how to dispose of them. “Should they remain in port we must try and get at them. “Success depends on the precision and quickness of your firing. “Lads! sharpen your cutlasses, and the day is your own!” [Illustration: St. Jean d’Acre.] CHAPTER LII THE BALTIC FLEET [Sidenote: 1854. Kioga Bay.] My cabin was the after-part of the main-deck, with its accommodation and comforts; but under the impression that business was intended I did away with luxuries. Instead of drawers I had tin cases to fit neatly overhead between the beams. One quarter-gallery was my bath and dressing-room; no bulkheads of any sort. At dinner-time a temporary canvas-screen fitted, after we went to the stern walk, which did duty of after-cabin. Exercising at quarters, we transferred the foremost guns from each side, and fired them out of my cabin windows. On visiting Clarence Paget in the _Princess Royal_ I found a cot hung up, with a chubby-faced boy down with fever. It was Victor Montagu, the young son of Lord Sandwich, midshipman and nephew of his captain. We met afterwards in China and elsewhere. [Sidenote: April 12.] Daylight.--Fleet weighed and made sail as per signal. In all, 39 pennants. [Sidenote: April 25.] Dressed ships with masthead flags in honour of the birthday of the Princess Alice. [Sidenote: May 1.] Arrived the _Austerlitz_, 100 guns, screw propeller, Captain Laurençin, the first of the French fleet. She had been several days at different rendezvous. On board was my friend Gizholme of Tahiti as second. Our meeting was cordial: we embraced as Frenchmen. Beyond the exchange of salutes, no further public mark shown of how we appreciated the alliance, but the figureheads, “Napoleon and Wellington,” were confronting one another. [Sidenote: Elgsmabben, May 4.] Arrived, Captain Henry Seymour, from West Indies and England. We had long been on the look-out for the _Cumberland_. It was a pleasure and amusement to initiate Seymour into the mysteries of this warlike fleet, which no one seemed to understand. My friend had a charming younger brother, Wilfrid, with him, whose profession had not been decided on. Henry was full of life and spirits, looking forward to great things--yet to be done. [Sidenote: May 5.] Fleet weighed as per signal, screws under steam, and proceeded through the Daläräo Channel. Rendezvous Golska Sands. _Austerlitz_ in co. Before the leading ships had reached the Landsort Lighthouse, the whole fleet was enveloped in fog. [Sidenote: May 7.] Commander George Wodehouse joined the fleet. [Sidenote: May 8.]