XV.
IN A CONNING-TOWER.
THE SELF-RESPECTING BLUEJACKET—A GERMAN ATHEIST—THE SAILORS' TELEPHONE—WHAT THE NAVAL GUNS MEANT TO LADYSMITH—THE SALT OF THE EARTH.
Ladysmith, Dec. 6.
"There goes that stinker on Gun Hill," said the captain. "No, don't get up; have some draught beer."
I did have some draught beer.
"Wait and see if he fires again. If he does we'll go up into the conning-tower, and have both guns in action toge—"
Boom! The captain picked up his stick.
"Come on," he said.
We got up out of the rocking-chairs, and went out past the swinging meat-safe, under the big canvas of the ward-room, with its table piled with stuff to read. Trust the sailor to make himself at home. As we passed through the camp the bluejackets rose to a man and lined up trimly on either side. Trust the sailor to keep his self-respect, even in five weeks' beleaguered Ladysmith.