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[Page 98]
which is never more than 60 times an hour, he rattles off "pidgin English" at a marvellous rate, finishing up with a wild "orright" as his orders are obeyed by the native crew.
The Captain of the "Gabriel" is an exceedingly nice man & a general companion. He is a German, one of the Katholic Brothers, as is also the engineer.
Potsdam Hafen Sun 6th 8 am : After leaving Kairiru Island yesterday we went to Dallman Hafen where the Major administered the oath to the Father Prefect & Father _____. The latter was at one time skipper of the Gabriel & passed his navigation test at Sydney at which time he was attached to the Drummoyne Parish. He speaks English fluently & is courtly & accomplished. It was quite refreshing to hear him speak of George St, Elizabeth St, Circular Quay & other parts of dear old Sydney.
We left Dallman at 6.30 last night & arrived here this morning at daylight.
On board "Gabriel" at sea 4.30 pm : "Struth!" as the clown in the circus used to say.
At 9 o'clock this morning the Major called my attention to an object showing through the trees around the point at Potsdam. It was moving swiftly over the water; it is – no! it can't be. Yes! by Jingo, it's one of our destroyers – and, ye Gods! there's another.
It was true; the "Warrego" & the "Parramatta" rounded the point and dropped anchor within a few cables lengths of us. The Major & I hopped into a boat ready to go aboard. We were met half way by Commander Cumberledge whose boat was manned in less than no time. We went to the shore together & things began to move some. A German who had broken the oath of neutrality was ordered to leave his home & proceed to Madang. But the most unkindest