There is no telegraph cable to the Falklands, so that it was obvious the first point of attack by the enemy would be the wireless station. To protect this the _Canopus_ entered the inner harbour, forced herself aground on the muddy bottom, and moored taut head and stern in a position that would enable her to command the southern approach. Here she was able to fire over the narrow neck of low-lying land, that at the same time served partially to conceal her. An observation station, connected with the ship by telephone, was set up ashore, with an elaborate plan for obtaining the bearing and elevation for the guns. Top-masts were housed, and the ship, masts, and funnels were painted all the colours of the rainbow in great big splodges to render her less visible. A look-out station was set up in Sparrow Cove, and three 12-pounder batteries were hastily constructed to dominate the approaches. The landing and placing of these guns, together with the digging of the emplacements, called for a great deal of hard work. Every credit is due to the _Canopus_ for the admirable manner in which she dealt with the situation. Major Turner, who was in command of the Falkland Island Volunteers, was indefatigable in his efforts to prepare efficient land defences. This corps gave valuable assistance to the _Canopus_, co-operating in the work of preparing the coast defences. Prior to the arrival of the _Canopus_, their only guns were a 12-pounder 8-cwt. field gun which had been lent by the _Glasgow_, and a few very antique muzzle-loading field guns. CHAPTER X ENEMY IN SIGHT "And from the crow's nest of the Golden Hynde A seaman cried, 'By God, the hunt is up!'" --ALFRED NOYES (_Drake_). December 8th, 1914, was apparently to prove an exception to the general rule in the Falklands, where it usually rains for twenty-one days during the last month of the year, for a perfect mid-summer's morning gave every promise of a fine day to follow. The prospect of a busy day coaling, and taking in stores, brought with it thoughts of the morrow when we were to set forth on our quest after the enemy. The colliers went their round from ship to ship, and the rattling of the winches hoisting the coal inboard never ceased. At 7.56 A.M. the _Glasgow_ fired a gun to attract the attention of the _Invincible_, who was busy coaling, to the signal of the _Canopus_ reporting smoke in sight to the south. Shortly after 8 A.M. the officers in the _Cornwall_ were all sitting at breakfast when the Chief Yeoman of Signals entered with a beaming face, full of news, to report that cruisers were in sight to the southward. The general opinion was that some Japanese cruisers were probably coming to join us, and attention was again turned to breakfast.