TOO MANY ANCHORS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20306, 13 July 1929, Page 27 (Supplement)

TOO MANY ANCHORS.

♦ ' The admiral was examing his youngest officer's knowledge of nautical matters. " Suppose, young man," ho rapped out, " you were in chargo of this ship and steaming slowly up the Ganges when you received a wireless message reporting a cyclone at sea. What would you do?" Tho young man, somewhat flustered, stammered: " I—l'd drop anchor, sir." " Supposing you received another message, half an hour later, that tho cyclone was ovor Calcutta?" " I—l'd drop another anchor, sir." Tho admiral looked far from satisfied. His voice betrayed a rapidly-rising temper. " But suppose it was ton times worse than you expectod ?" " I—l'd drop another anchor." said tho young officer faintly. " But suppose it was ten times worse than that. What would you do?" Tho young man strove despairingly to think of something bright. At last he whispered: "I—l'd drop another anchor, sir." - " Good heavens!" swesd tho admiral, " where the deuce do you get all tho anchors ?" " And where tho deuce," the junior officer flung at him desperately, " do you get all this wind.?." •