Introductory. 21 
last breaking of bread (at least for some time) in the 
Mother Country. 
“The Clarence, close by the pilot's landing pier, 
is the rendezvous selected ; and here we sit down to 
a supper of cold roast beef and foaming ale. There 
are toasts, and everybody wishes that the young men 
may live to grow grey beards and often to shake 
“THE LAST BOX WITH PROVISIONS HAD BEEN BROUGHT 
ON BOARD.” 
hands across the table-cloth again and again in good 
fellowship. The leave on shore is for one hour only. 
“At 9.50 we rise from the table, and leave those 
who have mothers and fathers and little sisters to bid 
au revoirs in quiet corners where even the stars do 
not reach. It is only three minutes to the pier. At 
the gateway the young explorers tread on English 
soil for the last time for many months to come. We 
