6 MY MEMOIRS

nally the captain got out of the difficulty by offering the salute which is given to a royal prince in Prussia. An agreement was made on the formula: a march past at the double with rifles at the slope.

The ships were also used for reprisals against exotic states. As a rule, however, in those days we went on instructional voyages with no other end in view than that of training the Fleet.

There was an atmosphere of the Middle Ages about our actions in war-time too. The Niobe had to reckon with meeting the Austrian steam corvette Erzhersog Friedrich in the Channel in 1866, and, being a sailing-ship, had to avoid a fight. I was then No. 3 at the muzzle-loading gun, and it was my duty to put in the cannon balls; by my side lay my pike, ready to hand in case the enemy should grapple and press through the port-hole. Other people stood ready with pole-axes which they were to strike into the hull of the enemy vessel, and use as steps. Off the Scilly Islands we sighted a ship lying-to, resembling the Austrian in build. It got under way and was evidently bearing down upon us; it then hoisted up its funnel and pursued us under steam. Fog separated us during the night. When it lifted near Plymouth, and we stood by, cleared for action, the frigate hoisted the Norwegian flag, and we youngsters were disappointed in our joyful anticipation of a fight. Later we lay at Kiel with loaded guns off the streets of the old town, which lead down to the water-side, when the Prussians under Manteuffel were advancing across the canal at