Chefoo--Nagasaki _en route_--Japan revisited--Kobe-- Yokohama 146 CHAPTER XIII. We attempt an overland route, with the result of the trial 159 CHAPTER XIV. The new regime--Something about Saigon--The First Cruise of the China Squadron--An Alarm of Fire!--Arrival of Flying Squadron 181 CHAPTER XV. Second Cruise of the China Squadron--Principally concerning a Visit to the Loo-Choo Isles and Corea--Welcome news from home--Conclusion 210 APPENDIX A.--Deaths during the Commission i. APPENDIX B.--Table of places visited and distances run during the Commission iii. CHAPTER I. "We sail the ocean blue, And our saucy ship's a beauty." WE COMMISSION OUR SHIP. VISIT PORTSMOUTH. PREPARE TO SAIL. On one of those delicious semi-tropical afternoons, which geologists tell us once bathed the whole of our island, and which even now, as though loath to part from its one-time home, still dwells lovingly in Devonia's summer, I wended my way to Devonport Park to feast my eyes once again on the familiar scenes of early days. What I beheld was a fair picture--the Hamoaze, with its burden of shapely hulls, and its beautiful undulating shores of wood and dell, lay glittering resplendent at my feet. So still and peaceful was it all that the din of hammers, the whir of machinery, and the voices of men were all blended in one most musical cadence. Scores of pleasure-boats dot the lake-like surface of the noble sheet of water, for the most part rowed by the lusty arms of those amphibious creatures familiarly known as "Jack Tars," recently let loose from the dear old "Model" or the equally dear "Academy." A voice, bell-like and clear--surely that of a girl--invited my closer attention; and yes, there she is! and not one only, but many ones,--one in each boat, whom Jack is initiating into that wonderfully difficult branch of navigation--a sailor's courtship!