Hands move nimbly at the training and elevating gear.
Breech-blocks are thrown open, sights adjusted, the first and second captains take their places, the former with the firing lanyard in readiness for use at his gun; then there is silence again as the officer in charge of the division holds up one hand as a signal that all is prepared.

Then comes the word to load.
In a twinkling the ammunition hoists are creaking with their burdens and boxes of shell appear on deck.

These are quickly lifted to the guns and taken in hand by the loaders.

The latter do their part of the general work thoroughly and with despatch, and presently the breech-blocks are swung to and the battery is ready for action.
In the meantime there has been systematic preparation in other parts of the auxiliary cruiser.

Down in the sick bay aft, the surgeon and his assistants have made ready for their grewsome task.