After our meal we do the usual hour and a half's work, which to-day is mathematics, and then have our dip. F. and I make for the cricket field, and spend a short time playing at the nets, there being no game got up for to-day. It is pretty hot this afternoon, and we should enjoy a bit of the cool breeze we had outside in the morning. But this being unavailable, we consider strawberries and cream would be a good substitute, and accordingly make for the stodge shop, where we lay in a store of the article mentioned, and feel refreshed. F. is the fortunate possessor of a camera, and considers this will be a good opportunity to go down to the dark-room and develop the photographs he has been taking lately. I suggest getting one of the blue boats, and rowing out to photograph the German man-of-war lying in the harbour. We manage to wheedle a skiff out of the boat-keeper, and are soon making for her. We get two or three views, and while preparing to return are hailed by one of the officers, and invited on board. [Illustration: H.M.S. "RACER," TENDER TO THE "BRITANNIA." _Photo: Smale & Son, Dartmouth._] This is too fine a chance to lose, and although we have not had previous leave, we accept the tempting invitation so cordially given, and, securing our boat alongside, are conveyed to the gunroom. Here are a few officers, at whom we look with great interest. All speak English fairly well, and are imbibing lager beer and smoking. We are at once offered beer and cigars, and indulge in a weed apiece, but no more, considering discretion to be the better part of valour. It is difficult to refuse our hosts, who so cordially press upon us their hospitality. F. imagines he can speak German, having, when a baby, had a German nurse who knew no English. I judge, from close observation, that at that remote period of his existence he was unable to speak in either language himself. But, of course, he cannot let slip this opportunity of airing his linguistic proclivities. He photographs the officers in a group: looking at my watch, I find it is high time to be off, in fact the recall must have been up for nearly a quarter of an hour. So, taking a hearty leave of our genial hosts, we step into our boat, and pull quickly up the harbour. We have to return the boat to its place, and find the boat-keeper in a towering rage, promising to report us both. His promises are always like pie-crust in this respect, so our equanimity is not greatly disturbed, and we are just in time to catch the pinnace for returning on board.