90 SAM DARLING'S REMINISCENCES 



Others were playing bridge. I, by way of antidote, 

 was trying to read Old St. Paul's once again ; but 

 when the erudite person got talking of Greek ac- 

 cents and the importance to be attached to them 

 when pronouncing Greek words, a fear came over 

 the assembly, and, the bar closing just then, we 

 went sorrowfully to bed. I may pursue the sub- 

 ject to its sequel, however, for at 1 p.m. to-day, 

 when we were approaching Cape St. Vincent, the 

 erudite one, being informed of the fact, inquired 

 ivhen we should pass Lisbon ! So much for erudi- 

 tion and Greek accents ! 



** This morning the naval chaplain appeared 

 much more at home playing quoits and shuj69.eboard. 

 It has, indeed, been a glorious day. I found Mr. 

 Gubbins on deck before breakfast, and for every 

 one ' the bitterness of death ' seemed to be past. 

 Bright, beautiful air, many vessels passing us, 

 land well in sight, bleak, inhospitable clifis — ^a long, 

 long line of them — and it was hereabouts in old 

 days where so many battles were fought and won. 

 I play bull board with Mr. Darling and am defeated. 

 A like result attends my eflorts at quoits ; but now 

 we w^atch our approach to Cape St. Vincent. It is 

 amazing what fresh life there is in everybody — 

 even in Mr. Gubbins's servant, who is a new man. 

 Luncheon comes before we reach the signalling 

 point, but there is plenty of time, and this is seen 



