nature of it became apparent, a little more than a year later, when
Captain Murray Frobisher, of Her Majesty's cruiser _Dauntless_,
presented to a grateful and astonished country no less than four
splendid battleships of the latest design, built in the mother country
with part of the proceeds of his share of the hoard of the ancient
"Conqueror of Asia". He did not intend, he said to the deputation who
waited upon him to thank him, that his country should ever be exposed to
the danger of the fate that had overtaken China. If China had had more
ships she might have come off victorious in her war with Japan, in spite
of the manifold disadvantages to which she had been subjected. These
were disadvantages of a kind to which Great Britain, he knew, would
never be exposed; but he wanted his beloved country to possess a good
"margin of safety."
After this generous and unparalleled gift, will it surprise readers very
much to learn that the lieutenant who was once cashiered from the Navy
for losing his ship is now Captain Sir Murray Frobisher, Baronet,
holding the rank of post-captain on board one of the battleships which
he himself presented to his country?
THE END.