- S. T. RASHLEIGH,
Lieut. and Commander.
To
Captain CHARLES E. LESTER, R.N.,
H.M.S. Vigilant,
Senior Officer, Chusan Archipelago.
It was no doubt written hurriedly and finished off abruptly after sighting the Vigilant; but from what I learned afterwards, hardly gave a correct, or rather fair account of the doings of his tenders.
I was rather amused by young Ford coming to my cabin next morning. He had a boat's ensign under his arm, looked very sheepish, and wanted to know if he might keep it. "The signalman of the Sally borrowed it, sir, and hoisted it, without my knowing, whilst we were fighting those junks—he didn't know that it was against orders—and I do want to take it home 'so badly'."
I told him to run and hide it, and he could not have been more pleased.
CHAPTER IX
Mr. Hoffman's Secret