212 
SPORT AND WAR. 
CHAP. XXI; 
Neptune, yet it was very pleasant. After the first day 
or so I had time to look through my ostrich feathers, 
and to select parcels as parting gifts. In all we were 
a large party ; and when we (the soldiers and non¬ 
sailors) had got over sea-sickness we did ample justice 
to the captain’s hospitable board. His Excellency, the 
Governor and the Lieutenant-General Commanding 
were also on board the ship, returning to Cape Town. 
It did one’s heart good to see the Prince performing 
all the duties of a midshipman with his brother 4 mids,’ 
early in the morning on deck, without shoes or stockings, 
and in water up to his ankles, directing the sailors 
washing decks. 
His Eoyal Highness would again take his superior 
station in the evening at the dinner-table. On one 
occasion we had a great laugh, and the Prince enjoyed 
the joke as much as anyone. One of the military 
authorities at table was a little deaf; and the head 
steward on handing round the wine said to him, 4 Hock 
or Sauterne, sir ? ’ 4 What! ’ exclaimed the soldier, 4 a 
rock astern ?’ and almost jumped from his chair. The 
gallant commander of the ship took up the joke, and at 
once said, 4 Put the ship about! ’ Now, we landsmen 
were somewhat startled at this, seeing that it was adding 
danger to danger. However, the hock was very good. 
My friend Currie was if possible a worse sailor than 
myself; but about the second day 4 he came to the fore,’ 
