Chapter I: Preface

This story was written in rather difficult circumstances, and subject to frequent interruption. Indeed, when the first chapters appeared in _Chambers's Journal_ early in 1916 the narrative was barely half-finished. Sometimes I almost despaired of ever completing it, for it can perhaps be understood that writing on board a small ship actually at sea in time of war is impossible for more reasons than one.

The reader is cautioned against accepting the story as an official account of the part played by a certain section of the Navy during the war. Incidents described are true; but, for reasons which must be obvious, it has been necessary to give them fictitious colouring. It also seems desirable to add that all my characters are fictitious, and that each chapter was submitted to the censors at the Press Bureau before publication.

It should be added that a considerable amount of matter is contained in this volume which did not appear in _Chambers's Journal_ when the story appeared in serial form.

More than ever am I deeply sensible of the very real debt which I owe to my wife, both for her help in revising and correcting the proofs, and for her many suggestions for improvements.

TAFFRAIL.

1916.

TO MY WIFE.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER PAGE

I. HIS FIRST SHIP 1

II. THE DAILY ROUND 12

III. WORK AND PLAY 30

IV. THE STRENUOUS LIFE 50

V. THE OFFICERS 67

VI. 'THE 'ORRIBLE DEN' 84

VII. AN AFFAIR OF THE HEART 101

VIII. A FAIR SKY 124

IX. THE CLOUD 151

X. WAR 171

XI. BLACK FRIDAY 191

XII. H.M.S. 'MARINER' 212

XIII. FRITZ THE FRIGHTFUL 234

XIV. THE NORTH SEA 248

XV. COMINGS AND GOINGS 271

XVI. MINOR INCIDENTS 298

XVII. THE DAY 313

XVIII. CONCLUSION 338

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

PAGE

'That's 'er.' ''Oo?' _Frontispiece_

'It was 'is fault! I saw 'im stick 'is foot out!' 115

'Gosh! there ain't no bloomin' error abart this 'ere' 152

Raising his voice, he tried to shout for help 203

''Ow do, granfer? Where did yer git that 'at?' 230

The shooting was very accurate, far too accurate to be pleasant 310

The dark hulls of the enemy were hidden in the blinding glare of their searchlights 333

PINCHER MARTIN, O.D.