CHAPTER XIV 



THE British fleet lay at Oban ; I don't think any 

 wars-man on any of the vessels would not have 

 changed places with one of us ; for to any seaman 

 there is an air of romance and adventure about a whaler. 

 I'd have felt distinctly proud passing down their line in our 

 little vessel whose object and capabilities any bluejacket 

 could guess at a motor, plus sails and a small but sea- 

 going hull, a business-like gun at bow, a crow's nest ; and 

 going south that would appeal to their imagination. But 

 alas ! at our stern hung a Union Jack made in Norway, that 

 a Boy Scout would jeer at. I am to blame. I'd taken it 

 for granted I could get a Union Jack anywhere, but the 

 Norse idea of a Union Jack I cannot recommend. But the 

 warships politely dipped to us, and the crews crowded round 

 their bows and we could only imagine the smiles at our 

 Jack. We may perhaps still manage to get one of the correct 

 design in the north of Ireland if we call there. In any case, 

 our mistake was accidental and temporary ; but each of his 

 Majesty's ships flew the Cross of St George with the Union 

 Jack device relegated to a mere canton, a deliberate violation 

 of the Treaty of Union, the first article of Treaty which 

 stipulated that the united crosses of both Scotland and 

 England shall be used in all flags both at sea and on land. 



We spent the Sunday afternoon as John Knox and the 

 reformer used to spend it. I mean we enjoyed ourselves 

 "out-by." John Knox, you know, golfed on Sunday after- 

 noons, and ate oysters in a High Street cellar at night ! 

 So we sailed, and then dined in the Station Hotel. My 

 wife and my cousin, Urmston, had come north to Oban 

 to avail themselves of the chance of seeing the St Ebba ; 

 and with a light, fresh breeze and smooth water we sailed and 

 motored over to Duart and South Morven, and Loch Linnhe, 

 and at night dined on shore as stated. The engine had 



no 



