The following conversation then took place:  “What is the name of the vessel you command?”

“She is now the ‘Hertha,’ and was the British sailing-sloop ‘Thetis.’  The British Government had her converted into a screw vessel, and presented her to us to bring our Minister, Count von Eulenberg, to negotiate a treaty with China as soon as the war should be ended, and that is why we are here; and the barque with the American flag flying near to us carries extra coals for our use.”

“But,” said our captain, “you are not a German.  How is it that you are in command of that ship?”

“No,” said he; “I am an ex-Danish naval officer, and all my officers are Danes, and we have German cadets.  There being no German navy, there are no officers yet trained.”

Business then began, and the transfer of provisions and stores of almost every kind was made from one ship to the other.  After this we used to have daily friendly intercourse for about three weeks, and one fine morning the “Hertha” left her anchorage.  A fresh easterly breeze was blowing, and the “Hertha” was working under sail against the wind, which was increasing, and a nasty, short sea rising.  After a couple of hours we saw her yards squared, and the vessel put back and she anchored near to us.  In the afternoon, the wind having moderated, an officer from her came to buy a grindstone.

This caused some little merriment.  Then the officer explained that in the forenoon, when beating down the gulf, in one of the plunges, the grindstone had been washed off the forecastle-head, where the men had been employed in grinding their cutlasses.

They were expecting to hear news of a rupture between France and Germany, and they were on the way to Hongkong for shelter.

It is highly creditable to the Germans that from so humble a beginning they have raised such a fine fleet as they now possess.

After our return to Shanghai from Taku I was permitted to leave the “Ballaarat” and take command of the “Neimen” on the Yangtse.

An Incident in Hongkong Harbour.

The following incident regarding Captain Keppel may be of some interest to sailors, and perhaps is remembered by some residents of Hongkong who may have been there at the time of the last war with China.

Sir Harry Keppel was every inch a sailor, and sometimes did some very strange things, which would annoy his superiors; but the very oddity of his actions gained the hearts and confidence of those who served under him, and he could rely on every one acting as one machine when he commanded.

One day, for some reason, the Admiral, Sir Michael Seymour, who was then on the flagship “Calcutta,” gave orders for the “Raleigh” to proceed to sea in face of a very strong southwest monsoon.  The “Raleigh” was to go out by the Lyemoon and return by Green Island.  The ship was got under way, and went out in the ordinary way by the Lyemoon, and beat round the island.  After some hours she came back by way of Green Island, with all plain sails and all studding-sails set.  At first this called for no special attention, except for the grand sight of a man-of-war under full sail.