In the sailors’ diaries there was one brief note, but it concerned itself also with a mishap to the beef stew served on that day, as a matter of importance: Armistice signed. Great stuff. Found a cockroach in the mulligan. Could you beat it? From Royan the _Corsair_ moved to Verdon, and there received orders on November 13th to proceed to sea and intercept incoming ships, warning them how to keep clear of mine-fields and instructing them as to destinations. The yacht went out, but received a radio next day from the District Commander, telling her to return to Pauillac. Another message set the crew to wondering: _Corsair_ detached from this District and will go to Brest. State requirements. As soon as he could get ashore, at midnight, Commander Porter used the telephone to Rochefort and was informed by the District Commander that the _Corsair_ “had a fine job ahead of her,” but here the information stopped. This was just enough to set everybody guessing wildly and once more “the scuttle-butt was full of rumors.” Pursuant to instructions the _Corsair_ promptly took on supplies and sailed for Brest, arriving on November 16th. There the other yachts were all astir with the expectation of flying their homeward-bound pennants. They were soon to set out on the blithe voyage across the Atlantic, by way of the Azores and Bermuda—the first division comprising the _Vidette_, _Corona_, _Sultana_, _Emiline_, and _Nokomis_; in the second division the _Christabel_, _May_, _Remlik_, and _Wanderer_, veterans of the coastal convoy routes and the wild weather offshore. [Illustration: BOATSWAIN’S MATE FRENCH BOUGHT A PET PARROT IN LISBON] [Illustration: “TOMMY,” THE SHIP’S CAT, WHO FINISHED STRONG IN THE HURRICANE] [Illustration: “TEDDY,” WHO WAS GIVEN A MILITARY FUNERAL WHEN HE SWALLOWED A NAIL] It was decreed otherwise for the _Corsair_ and she was to remain six months longer in foreign waters, thereby rounding out a service of almost two years as a naval vessel. Captain John Halligan, chief of staff to Admiral Wilson, was kind enough to end the suspense and vouchsafe the information that the _Corsair_ would go to England and hoist the flag of Rear Admiral S. S. Robison who was about to sail for Kiel to inspect what was left of the German Navy. This was a highly interesting assignment and the _Corsair_ was envied by the other ships. In order to make her fit to serve as a flagship the depleted stock of china, linen, and silver was replaced, after persuasive arguments with the naval storekeeper at Brest. Several officers were detached at this time, which made room on board for an admiral’s staff. These were Ensign J. W. McCoy, Lieutenant S. K. Hall (J.G.), Lieutenant C. R. Smith (J.G.), Lieutenant R. V. Dolan (J.G.), and Ensign A. V. Mason, Assistant Engineer. The new arrivals in the war-room were Ensign E. F. O’Shea and Lieutenant E. B. Erickson, Assistant Paymaster.