them build up their swarm on the back of my hands and my sleeves! After which the minister, the latReev. Frank Orchard, suggested we disperse and continue the service up at the school. Feeling like a martyr rescued from the stake,I led the retreat! J.F.R. HOMEWARD BOUND As THE chalk white cliffs of Dover faded slowly into the afternoon haze, I heaved a sigh of relief. It had been a trying afternoon, helping the passengers to settle down and dealing with hundreds of queries and different problems. My name is Michael Sands and I am earning my living as a steward on the beautiful and graceful liner,"Pretoria Castle". We had left Southampton earlier that day and were now recovering from the general commotion of lost luggage, crying children and other difficulties while the passengers settled in. This was my sixth voyage with the "Pretoria" and at the end of it, I was due for six weeks'shore leave. It was just on time for the evening dinner and I wended my way to the grand Dining Room. I was assigned to tables sixteen, seventeen and eighteen. The latter table being occupied by an elderly, rather crusty lady, whom I later found to be very finicky with her various requests. I always find that the first meal of a voyage is a very busy one and this was no exception. Between bringing in the various courses and wines, I was per petually harassed by other things, such as "Would you please bring a glass of warm milk for baby"? and that a lady had asked for "consomme"and not the "pate de fois gras", and so on. I was very glad eventually at midnight to retire to my cabin. Gradually over the days, the tourists made themselves at home, lounging in the deck chairs sipping cold drinks or swimming in the bath. The only real excitement we had was while crossing the Bay ofBiscay. There we had a real"snorter"ofastorm. The massive deep green swells were spending their fury upon the second deck,crashing upon the bows whilethe wind whistled through the rigging and the froth scudded across the crests. I spent most of the afternoon carrying down trays of water and aspirins to people in thecabins, whose faces had rather a greenish tinge to them! A few dayslater, we dropped anchor off the beautiful island of Madeira. Hundreds of little boats came swarming around us and the passengers were very amused by the antics of the little brown-skinned lads who were diving for coins. We had some really good fun crossing the line a week later. All the "firsttimers" were given the full treatment including being "shaved" with a six-foot wooden razor. The captain received the customary ducking much to the mirth of the crew. At length after a really good run, we arrived at Cape Town. It was late afternoon and the purple mass of Table Mountain was really beautiful, sil houetted in the dying rays of the sun. We had, of course, the traditional end-of-trip dinner and we were kept up well after midnight. I am sure that many passengers were really sorry to bring an end to such a wonderful time. {Second Prize in Navy League Essay Competition.) E. Eriksson. 107
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