w NAVAL OFFICERS 255 



rather, mine, In their exuberance, rowed me out, as 

 nearly as possible smashing the paddles and cap- 

 sizing the boat. Thinking It was worth it — and so 

 it was at that hour — I charged them half-a-crown 

 each, and they paid like lambs. The next man's 

 boat-load decided finally to offer him two shillings. 

 The third man, who had sweated at his oars with a 

 cargo of twelve, obtained a shilling from each with 

 difficulty. Doubtless they compared prices after- 

 wards. It was perhaps as well for us that the ship 

 left next morning. Naval officers are a peculiar 

 people, very pleasant when they are pleasant, 

 though apt sometimes to try and treat outsiders as 

 they can their own men. 



But the Navy chaps, them we know. When 

 they come home In numbers, on Christmas or 

 Easter leave, they are like a breeze springing up 

 on a sultry day. They make things hum, as they 

 put It. What does It matter to them how much 

 they spend, so long as they have It to spend? 

 When It Is gone, they must wait till they get 

 some more. They raise the scale of generosity 

 for the time being. Easy-going as they are, 

 however, they can do ceremonies, which Is always 

 a sign of really corporate life. Behind the coffin 

 of a dead bluejacket they marched in order, 



