The next day Mr. Mahony and his family came on board; later in the day we returned to Bantry, and shortly after the _Bacchante_ came into the Bay. The young Princes lost no time in paying their respects to the Admiral, who at once invited them to dinner. I sat next to Prince Eddy who was a perfectly natural boy, and to my mind immensely tactful, for he immediately commenced to tell me of the success of my latest cartoon in _Vanity Fair_--which happened to be Lord Shrewsbury. On the next day the combined squadrons weighed anchor and started for the ten days' cruise to Vigo. [Illustration: SEVENTH EARL OF BESSBOROUGH. _"M.C.C. Cricket."_ 1888.] [Illustration: REV. F. H. GILLINGHAM. _"A hard hitter."_ 1906.] [Illustration: ARCHDEACON BENJAMIN HARRISON. _"Canterbury Cricket."_ 1885.] The naval evolutions and drill were exceedingly interesting to watch by day, and, on the second night out, came the great excitement of a "Night Alarm." This proceeding might be described as the supreme episode of naval drill. It may come at any moment, and although I was let into the secret it seemed to arrive with startling suddenness to me. We were at dinner when the alarm was given. "There's not a moment to be lost," said the Duke. "Stick to me and we'll go down." A fleeting impression of the blue jackets and marines turning out of their hammocks like one man, then in a flash every officer gave his word of command--All hands were at the guns--Every man in his place!--Lights out! and so on. On Saturday the weather turned stormy, and I found that even a man-of-war didn't glide smoothly through a rough sea in the Bay of Biscay; and, although I managed to put in an appearance at Church service on Sunday, I thought it more discreet to remain in my cabin during the gale; but on Monday the Duke, finding that I didn't appear at the luncheon table, sent for me, and with difficulty I dragged myself to my place. "Now," said he, "I am going to be your doctor, and you must take the prescription I give you. It is the only cure for sea-sickness." So at his suggestion I drank one glass of champagne and presently another, but when it came to the third proposal I politely declined, for although the first two glasses had a most comforting effect "yet another" would have proved the last straw. "Very well," said he, in mock sternness, "when you want medical aid in future don't come to me for it." But I was better. We continued our voyage with three incidents on the way. A man overboard--the funeral of a stoker on board the _Hector_, which was impressive, the court-martial of an offender on the _Defence_, and a sudden dense fog that came on suddenly when the ships were manoeuvring and crossing one another. Every light was ordered out, and I went on the bridge where I found both Sir William Hewitt and the Captain. The former, who realized the danger of the situation, and who was always ready with chaff, said to me: