time famously. After dinner a nice little breeze sprang up, the sails began to fill, and a pleasant rippling sound told them that they were at last making way. Portland Bay was soon reached, and a convenient anchorage secured inside the breakwater. There can scarcely be a nicer place than Portland to stay in for two or three days on board a yacht; the rock itself is most picturesque, and the neighbourhood abounds in objects of interest, such as Chesil Beach, Lulworth Cove, etc. Hilda thought it a very charming scene as, the morning after their arrival, she came up on deck for her usual walk before breakfast. There were five or six yachts in the bay, with blue, red, or white ensigns flying, as the case might be; some with awnings set, and all in Sunday trim; one or two men-of-war, and several trading vessels. Being Sunday, there was no work going on, either on the breakwater or in the quarries. Everything was perfectly still, the sun was shining brightly on the deep blue waters, and flocks of beautiful sea-gulls were hovering about the different ships. 'Where shall we go to church ?' asked Herbert, at breakfast. On shore, or on board the flag-ship?'

'The flag-ship,' was the universal answer, and accordingly the gig was lowered at the proper time, and they were rowed to H.M.S. where service was to be performed. One of the officers received them very politely, and took them to a lower-deck, where several parties from different yachts were already assembled. An impromptu reading-desk, which also served as a pulpit, covered with a black and white flag, stood in the centre; on one side sat the Admiral and all the ladies, on the other the gentlemen visitors, and officers, while on all sides were several rows of men and marines, the former looking very clean

On board the Flag-ship.

173

and neat in their dark-blue jackets, with nice wide collars turned down over them. The singing was particularly good. It is to be feared that Harry's attention, caught by a particularly savoury smell, very often wandered off to the far background down the deck, where the cooks in their white caps might be seen running to and fro, preparing the different dinners; but, on the whole, he was very good and quiet. After service, the Admiral invited them to stay to luncheon, and go over the ship; an invitation gladly accepted, Mr. and Mrs. Grant happening to have met friends on board, and the children being delighted at the idea of seeing a man-of-war. The Admiral took them first into his own cabin, which was the very picture of comfort and luxury-delightful arm-chairs and sofas, photographs, pictures, statuettes, flowers, and innumerable nick-nacks, forming the prettiest drawing-room she had ever seen; so thought Hilda. He was a very kind old man, and insisted on showing the children round the ship himself, and took the trouble to explain everything to them that they did not understand. As they passed by the midshipmen's messroom, the dinner was just going up. 'What do they have for dinner?' asked Harry, and, to satisfy his curiosity, the Admiral called a little middy to him, and asked the question in a good-humoured manner.

'Roast ducks, fore-quarter lamb, curried rabbits, mutton cutlets, pigeon pie, asparagus, potatoes, and a fruit-pudding,' was the prompt reply.

'What a nice dinner!' said Milly; and, turning to the Admiral, Herbert said, laughing

'Rather a change from Captain Marryat's days of the cock-pit, salt pork, and biscuit!'

When the ship had been thoroughly explored, they re

turned to the Admiral's cabin, where Mr. Grant and the rest of the party were sitting. Then came luncheon; after which goodbyes were exchanged, and our party returned to their own snug little yacht.

'Who will go on shore with me to church?' asked Herbert, somewhat later in the afternoon.

Milly and Hilda offered their company; but Mrs. Grant said she should stay quietly on board, and read to Harry, who, she thought, had done enough for that day.

Church being over earlier than they had expected, Herbert proposed a walk on the breakwater; and there being still a little time to spare, before the boat was to meet them, Milly coaxed him to let them have a scramble among the rocks, to see if they could find any curiosities. Here they stayed till the boat picked them up, collecting a few shells and curious stones, but chiefly looking into the clear, deep pools of water, converted into beautiful ruby, emerald, and amethyst caves, by the rose-coloured, deep green, and purple seaweeds, which lined the sides of the rocks. Here and there, some only half-opened, others fully so, were fringed anemones of different colours,—dark red, green and yellow,-flowers of the sea, as they have been justly called; and, swimming about, were enormous white jelly-fish, which, when stirred up by Herbert's stick, began barking like dogs, emitting sepia from their mouths.

'Those are dangerous fellows to come across in bathing,' said Mr. Grant. Their sting is so painful, and has, I believe, been known even to poison people.'

'This has been the most delicious day that ever was!' said Milly enthusiastically, as they rowed back to the yacht. 'What a lot we shall have to put into our journals to-night, Hilda!'

Longing for Letters.

175

'Yes, indeed; and I must write home a long account of it as well. I hope we shall find some letters at the Post-office to-morrow. I am longing to know how they all are. We've seen and done so much these last two days, that it seems to me more like a week since we left home!'

CHAPTER XVII.

HILDA'S LETTER.

HE next resting-place was Plymouth, whither they sailed on the following day, which, the wind being fair, they were enabled to reach in the evening. The scenery was very pretty, as they coasted along; and, by the aid of writing, working, reading, sketching, and talking, the day flew by almost too quickly for the inmates of the Una.'

The captain anchored in a lovely spot in Plymouth Sound, commanding a fine view of the breakwater, forts, and shipping, as well as of the distant town and Hoe, close under the overhanging green woods of Mount Edgcombe.

I

'We must go to market this morning,' said Mr. Grant next day. 'I've ordered the gig at eleven o'clock. suppose you'll all like to stretch your legs a bit on shore?'

All were willing to do so but Harry, who said he should stick to the ship, and fish with the Brigand in the dingy; and, after a few maternal cautions, and many promises on the part of his companion that he should be well taken care of, he was allowed to please himself.

The first visit on landing was to the post-office; the