The prosperity and popularity of the beagles in November, 1884, may be inferred from the fact that on one occasion there were no fewer than thirty-four mounted followers, including seven or eight officers of the ship; and a great following on foot besides. Of course, by this time “drags” and badgers had long been abandoned, and the swift and legitimate hare was always the object of pursuit. There usually appeared to be little difficulty in starting one, and not a few instances have occurred of the hounds getting on a fresh scent crossing the original one.
November is a good month for beagles; but scarcely as well suited for a trip in the Wave. This diversion was, however, arranged on November 8th, 1884, this being a holiday in honour of the Prince of Wales’ birthday.
The excursion was to Plymouth, and a good number of light-hearted youngsters put down their names for it, recking little of the vagaries of Channel weather at this season.
Perhaps the most appropriate and heartfelt description of the cruise is contained in a poem (a long way after Longfellow), which appeared subsequently in the magazine:—
The “Wave’s” Trip to Plymouth.
It was the little tender Wave
That sailed the wintry sea;
She had on board a score cadets,
A goodly companee.
Bright were their hopes on that winter morn
As they thought of their coming trip;
Gaily they skipped along the decks
Of the “Brit” and the “other ship.”
The helmsman stood beside the wheel,
Where “Deeds, not words” is writ,
And mentioned to his dearest chum,
“We’ll have a time of it!”
And so we had, for, once outside
And in the troubled sea,
The Wave by waves was tossed about
In manner strange to see.
Colder and louder blew the gale
(Force five) from the south-west;
But the gallant boiler boiled away,
And the engines did their best.