234 IOWA STUDIES IN NATURAL HISTORY 
while on the way to be installed in his new position, the ‘‘ Ap- 
pam’’ on which he was a passenger was captured by the German 
raider ‘‘Moewe,’’ and he was required to give his parole not to 
Serve in any military capacity during the war. Now the Governor 
of the Leeward Islands is commander ez officio of the military 
forces, with his seat at Antigua. Governor Merewether was on 
the ‘‘Appam’’ when that vessel suddenly appeared at Newport 
News and was interned there. At the time of Governor Mere- 
wether’s appointment, Colonial Secretary Best was made Act- 
ing Governor of the Leeward Islands to serve until the arrival 
of the new executive. As it turned out, however, he was 
destined to serve ‘‘for the duration of the war’’ with his wife 
and son kept in England on account of the U-boat menace. 
We were entertained several times at Government House, 
where the Governor keeps bachelor quarters with his military 
aide and secretary, Captain Nicholson, who has lost a leg in the 
great conflict but does so well with an artificial one that we did 
not at first discover the true situation. Government House is 
a notably comfortable residence and guests are made most de- 
lightfully at home in an informal and therefore all the more 
satisfactory manner The grounds are well laid out and there 
is a good set of tennis courts where this favorite English sport 
is indulged in by the experts of Antigua and neighboring 
islands. 
Some of us happened to be staying at Government House 
when the cablegram. announcing the initial success of the 
American troops on July 18th, the beginning of the great offen- 
sive that was destined to win the war, was received, and imme- 
diately read by His Excellency. At dinner there was the usual 
‘‘toast to the King’’ which is proposed daily at every Govern- 
ment House in the British Empire, in which we very gladly 
joined on invitation. Before taking his seat, Governor Best 
raised his glass and proposed a toast to ‘‘The President of the 
United States,’’ a tactful bit of courtesy that warmed the 
hearts of the American guests. 
War conditions on the island did not seem to be felt so much 
as with us. At one time in the spring there was some scarcity of 
food owing to the non-arrival of a steamer, but at the time of 
our visit there seemed to be a fairly adequate supply. There 
