The Long Trick

lagship was "At-Home" to the Fleet that afternoon on the occasion of the Junior Officers' Boxing Tournament which w

ship or flotilla dwelt a little community apart. On occasions such as this, however, the vast Fleet came together; Light Cruiser met Destroyer with a sidelong jerk of the head and a "Hullo, Old Thing…" that spanned the years at a single leap; Submarine laughed across the room at Seaplan

finity of race. The high physical standard demanded of each on entry, the athletic training of their early years, the stern rigour of life afloat, perhaps accounted for it. But in many of the tanned, clean-shaven faces there

ked out here and there from the face of Youth. Yet amid the wholesome, virile cheerfulness of that assembly they were but transie

ng animatedly to a Lieutenant with the eagle of the Navy-that-Flies above the distinction lace on his cuff. A grave-faced Navigating Commander, scenti

an was saying as he stirred his tea. "Nice

over here expecting to hear you both discussing the burstin

just come back from the White Sea, but I seem to know more about what Tim

nged between more intimate friends, and comments on the afternoon's boxing mingled with tag-ends of narratives from distant seas

elbowing his way from the big tea-urns at one end of the mess to the smoking-room at the

xer, isn't he? I had

s learnt a good

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og: she was killed by

I've got an Aber

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der double awnings for so long? But the Persian Gulf

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peror sends them out to commit a sort of hari-kiri at the

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in the Tigris. He conned us up the river-we put him in a basket a

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lad, the Japs had s

e I got into th

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erver-aged 16 and 4 months precisely….

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ou were swimming…. Only had to use it once … nasty sticky job. N

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ower hatch all the time we were on the surface, 'case we ha

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edo a shell hit the tube and blew it to smi

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appeared at the doorway

outed, "and then the final of the Light-weight

dth of the ship, was the dense array of the ship's company. The majority were in tiers on planks, but a number had found their way to other points of vantage, and were clustered about the funnel casings and turrets and even astride the great guns themselves. A murmur of men's voices, punctuated by the

ised his hand for silence. The hum of voices died away instantly, and in the sti

Hands, ex-Middle-weight Champion of England, have kindly consent

lders, ducked under the ropes and walked rather shyly to his corner of the ring. His appearance was the signal for a vociferous outburst of applause.

d took his place in the opposite corner. He was stripped to the waist; his jaws moved mechanically about a pi

at the contrast between the toughened ex-professional and the lithe, gracef

ed arms covered with barbaric tattooing, the low-crowned skull and projecting lower jaw gave him an aspect of almost savage, remorseless strength

s type as nothing out of the common. Deep-chested, lean-flanked, perfectly proportioned, and perhaps a shade "fine-drawn"-Engl

ionately. The lack of several front teeth incidental to his late profession was momentarily apparent, and

said in a whisper, as

smoke between his lips. "'S only a bit o' skylarkin'…. Gawd!" he ad

characteristic of his school, while the ex-professional contented himself with almost imperceptible movements of his feet, watching with a noncha

ckwards from the hips. His adversary's glove should have landed full in his face; but so perfectly was his defence timed that it ju

ned orthodox, amateur boxing. On the other every clean trick and subterfuge of irreproachable ring-craft. T

of might and action, upon the amateur. Tap-tap-tap! Left-right, over and under, through the guard and round the guard of the outfought youngster the unclenched gloves totted up a score of points. There was

rts, and round each waist was twisted the distinguishing coloured sash, one red and the other green. They sat down with their gloved hands resting on their thin knees

"Midshipman Harcourt on the left-green; Midshipman Mordaunt on my right-red," and added the name of their ship. He looke

out of

d briskly to meet each other. The wearer of the green colours was smiling,

enly matched, but Harcourt soon gave evidences of being unquestionably the better boxer. He boxed coolly and scientifically, but what his opponent lacked in style he made up in determination. Twice his furious attacks drove Harcour

ked to their corners amid a tempest of appreciative applaus

od removed his pipe from his mouth and turned his

course, but Mordaunt's fighting like a young tiger. He's no box

her. "Sheer guts! H

iling up the points

y of the onslaught abated, and then a savage bout of in-fighting quickly equalised matters, until as the end of the round approached disaster very nearly overtook the red colours. Morda

and his lip curled back savagely. In a whirlwind of smashing blows he drove H

uming a pinkish tinge, and they sponged and massaged and flapped their towels as if striving to impart something of their own vigour to their tir

"He's just as fit and a better boxer. But he seems to be

ing! Last round!" cam

brought them

ed as if he had shot his bolt. Then he seemed suddenly to gather all his tiring strength. He feinted and hit lightly with his left. Harcourt blocked it, then unexpectedly lowered his guard; a little mocking

d into a mist. There was a thud and a great

ide, and somewhere, apparently in the distance,

! Six!

ourt sprawling on the ground. He was leaning

ght!

he green sash was on ha

rang. Dow

udge to the other and raised a

ns!" he

friend's shoulders. All the savage fighting blood in him had suddenly cooled, and t

supported him to his corner. At his feeble request one unlaced the glove fr

faintly. "My-head's-still singing …

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n their respective barges, the Captains in their galleys, Wardroom and Gunroom officers in the picket-boats. Figures paced up and down the quarterdeck talkin

in the rear of the remainder of their party, were greeted b

n! We've got to get back and be hoisted in.

mfortably on top of the cabin of the picket boat and

ine-room telegraph an

hurry?" queried Harcou

e his stern was clear, and put the wheel over,

just come through ordering us to raise

e of the cabin-top, leaned across. The crowded exc

ole Fleet, or only

l weary stunt; go out and steam about trailing the tail of our coat for a couple of days, and then come back ag

behind their minefields and do exercises, and they cover their Battle-cruisers when they nip out for a tip-and-run bombardment of one of our

e coming South," said another Midshipman perche

ow," said Harcourt ove

ming and give them the

d Mordaunt

o it all right. But then you couldn't see to hit 'em. 'Sides

was wearied by profitless discussion. "Fog or

nderneath his feet, and spun the wheel to bri

agship was busy for a space, and the daylight signalling searchlights splashed and spluttered while hoist after hoist of flags leaped from the signal platform to yardarm or masthead; and ever as they descended fresh successive tangles climbed to take their place.

a little later the Cruisers and Light Cruisers crept out in the failing light to take up their distant positions. On each high forecastle the minute figures of men we

turned cautiously towards the entrance, like partners revolving in some solemn gigantic minuet. The dusk was fast closing down, but a saffron bar of light in

, certain

n succession towards the

and like great grey shadows the last of the Batt