“You might,” he said, “as your navy is so much larger than theirs.”

But I pointed out that our naval triumphs had seldom been gained by superior force—­“although,” I admitted, “we certainly have now double the force of any other European power, on which account none of them dare attack us singly, as they know that if they did, the majority of their knocked-out tubs would be towing up the Downs in a very brief space of time.  But numbers apart, the British sailor of to-day can still do more with a ship than a Frenchman.  The conditions are certainly completely changed, but the best seaman will make the most of the new order.”

He shook his head dubiously, and said he should like to see a war between England and France.

“Well,” said I, “you may live to see that and not be an old man.  You may live to see a war between England and half the rest of the world, and see England get the best of it.  It has happened once or twice before.”

On another occasion we were talking about Russia, when Hishidi remarked—­

“Russia wants China.”

“Russia wants everything,” said I.

“Ah, that is what they say of you,” replied he.

I once asked him what he thought of the torpedo.

“Well,” said he, “the torpedo is as yet far from being thoroughly understood.  It is very uncertain in use, though when it takes effect invariably deadly.  Gun-fire should be able to neutralize it, that is, to keep it at a distance, for once struck, no sort of construction could resist the explosion of two hundred pounds of gun-cotton against the hull under the water line; water-tight compartments would be of no avail against such devastation.  Vessels of the cruiser type, fast, and with a heavy quick-firing armament, are best suited to cope with torpedo-boats, which would find it difficult to get to close quarters with such craft.  Warships have lately been built with a considerable increase of length, which of course increases a torpedo’s chance of striking by giving it a larger target.  Moderate size, no overloading with armour, speed, good coal supply, and as many quick-firing guns as can be mounted—­that is my idea of the best type of warship at present.  The policy of building monstrous ships is doubtful, when they can be sunk by a torpedo-boat.  Under such conditions, it seems to me that ease and rapidity of manoeuvring is of more advantage than gigantic weight of ordnance and armour, because after all the torpedo’s attack is directed against a part which nothing can render invulnerable.”

Such is the substance of my conversation with the lieutenant, but despite the charms of intellectual intercourse, I soon began to get desperately weary of my detention.  Day after day the Itsuku cruised about, sometimes in company with other craft, sometimes alone.  The enemy kept well out of sight, and few events occurred to chequer the monotony.  Once we sighted two Chinese gunboats not far from Chefoo,