We had mountain strawberries and cream for breakfast. With baths, never was better, but determined not to leave my playfellow. It was July 16 before I got to London. The next day was invited to a breakfast at Chiswick by the Prince and Princess of Wales; everybody there: Emperor of Morocco, King and Queen of Greece; all so kind to me. While staying with Sir William Medlycott at Ven Hall received a kind letter from the Duke of Abercorn inviting me to join his suite in the mission to confer the Order of the Garter on the King of Italy: nothing could be nicer. [Sidenote: Feb. 8.] Meet of the Blackmoor Vale hounds. Digbys, Glynns, and many friends. Country heavy from rain. Soon found; large field. We came to a stiffish fence with but one gap, which I left to the fair sex. Noticed an opening at the bottom, which proved to be a long-unused road covered with long grass. Where there had been a gate were now heavy bars, which I charged. Although I broke the upper bar, came down the heaviest cropper I ever experienced. Horse by my side in similar position, but clear of me. How long we had been there I know not, but friend Digby, who knew the country well, had followed the marks of a horse to the corner. He found horse and self as quiet as if we had been shot in action. I know not how he got me back to Ven Hall; it was the nearest, though I had that day been engaged to Minterne. My old coxswain Webb was sent for. It was eight days before I could be moved to London. All hopes of attending the Duke of Abercorn gone. Nothing ordered but quiet. Was conveyed to Haslar Hospital, where I certainly secured that for a few months. [Sidenote: April 30.] The _Eurydice_ training ship was lost in a snow squall off the Isle of Wight on March 24 with all hands except two boys. While propped up in my bed in the hospital, a regular installed patient--for how long?--bodies from _Eurydice_ were constantly being washed up, and funerals with the grand and sad Dead March in “Saul” were of daily occurrence; passing under my window. With the exception of a few days yachting I did not leave Haslar until early in August. Space only, forbids my recalling later incidents, which are, however, unconnected with my sailor’s life. * * * * * The last word must be written. [Illustration: Farewell!] INDEX Abercorn, the Duke of, iii. 333 Accra, i. 214, 221, 232, 238, 242; iii. 72 Adam, General Sir Frederick, i. 148 Sir Charles, ii. 46 Adeane, Lieutenant, iii. 55 Adelaide, Queen, i. 121, 160, 246 Aden, iii. 118, 119 Admiralty Islands, ii. 150 _Adventure_, iii. 174, 180 _Africa_, i. 7, 12, 13 Agar-Ellis, Miss, ii. 201 Ailesbury, Lady, iii. 322 Ainos, the, iii. 199 Aitkin, Lieutenant, iii. 235 _Alabama_, iii. 83 Åland Islands, ii. 232 Albany, ii. 142 _Albatross_, ii. 81, 127