cavil.]               A SUDDEN START                    391
" Hard a-port, full speed astern both ! What on' earth is up?"
-" We're off."
"What?"
" I've no time," and escaping from my hands he disappeared.
I hurried to the ward-room. On the way I nearly collided with the commander, who was also cruising at top speed. First he swore, then apologised and called out something about" in the heat of action " as he disappeared down the ladder.
In  the  mess   I   found   Lieutenant   B-----,   who  was
hurriedly smoking a very fat cigarette he had just rolled himself.    I ran up to him.
" My dear fellow, do explain what is the matter. Everybody seems to have gone off his head."
" Isn't it enough to make one mad ? " he cried joyfully. "We're running away from Nebogatoff."
"Tell me everything; I've only just turned out. I can't make it out."
" During the night the Regina arrived—a steamer full of provisions. It was hardly daybreak when the committee went on board to serve out the stuff, to say who was to get what and the exact amount, so that no one should get short measure—the normal business, in^ fact. Suddenly a telegram, signals, semaphores, orders, 30,000 messengers, boats from every ship to be sent at once, orders to empty the steamer in twenty-four hours. What could not be stowed was to be handed over to the auxiliaries. Prepare for sea. What the devil did it mean ? We were all speechless—could not make it out. From the shore a Havas telegram: 'Nebogatoff hurriedly coaling in Crete; expected at Port Said to-day or to-morrow.' Suddenly we all understood ; we were delighted. Our spirits rose mightily. Well, I can't stand chatting here any longer. I'm up to my neck in work."
"The deuce," I thought, "this is getting interesting. Last night there was no idea of so early a start."
I went up to the Staff office. There I found a tremendous bustle.    As B----- had expressed it, 30,000 messengers