"I hoped to go home at the end of this voyage," said the captain as we seated around his table; "but we must now remain in the Pacific.

War has come and may give us glory or the grave; possibly both." For an hour we discussed the intelligence and the probabilities of its truth.

As we separated, Captain Lund repeated with emphasis his opinion that the news was false.
"I do not believe it," said he; "but I must prepare for any emergency." In the wardroom the officers were exultant over the prospect of promotion and prize money.

The next day the men were exercised at the guns, and for the rest of the voyage they could not complain of ennui.
The deck was cleared of all superfluous rubbish, and we were ready for a battle.

The shotted case for the signal books was made ready, and other little preparations attended to.