The author has it from the best authority that young Jellicoe joined in some of the successful raids on the aforesaid orchards, that he tasted and approved of Dittisham plums and cockles, and it is more than likely that he attended the Regatta, which, from a boy's point of view, as well as that of many grown-ups, was most attractive as a Fair. At the end of Jack Jellicoe's first year on the _Britannia_ he showed his instructor and his fellow-cadets the kind of stuff of which he was made. He was quiet, unassuming, yet always ready for work, and equally ready to take his place in the cricket eleven, or to put in a little practice in the field between the goal-posts. When he came out at the head of his rivals in the examinations, and got first for every examination that it was possible for him to pass, he must have occasioned no inconsiderable surprise. Next year much the same thing happened, though, at the same time, Jellicoe began to develop a _penchant_ for left-hand bowling. He was useful with an oar, too. On the _Britannia_ every kind of game was encouraged among the cadets. Of course swimming, shooting, rowing, sculling and the "gym" came under part of the curriculum. A cadet need not play cricket or football, but he would probably have a bad time if he did not. If he wished, he got his chance at tennis and racquets and bowls; athletic sports were, of course, held regularly. Besides the time-honoured paper chase, the _Britannia_ had a pack of beagles, of which the lieutenant was generally master; the pack is still in existence to-day. The hounds met, during the season, once or twice a week, hunting the hillsides, and along the open country from the cliffs beyond Kingswear, inland, for several miles. Only the master is mounted, and sometimes he dispenses with his horse; everyone else is on foot, and, as a cadet remarked, "You have to be pretty nippy if you want to be in at the death." Amidst such surroundings, on one of the oldest ships belonging to His Majesty on the bosom of England's most beautiful river, John Rushton Jellicoe's character was developed. At the age of thirteen he found himself afloat--and he has kept afloat ever since. His ship has in very truth been his home, for he has always been actively engaged, and never known--perhaps never wanted--a real rest or a proper holiday. Of course Jellicoe passed out of the _Britannia_ just as he had passed into her--first of his year by over a hundred marks. During the period he was on board as midshipman he took nearly all the prizes--though he was only allowed to keep a selection. But the future Admiral of the Fleet was not after prizes. He possessed what an old boatswain aptly described as _a hungry brain_. It is rather surprising that he never suffered from mental dyspepsia, since in his desire for knowledge he was absolutely avaricious. In his examination as sub-lieutenant a few years later, he took no fewer than three "firsts."