When the Governor returned to the saluting base the feu de joie opened. The big guns of the naval men on the waterfront first boomed their "happy returns of the day," the rifles of bluejackets and marines joining in the chorus with a precision which should gladden the hearts of all Britishers. Following the display three hearty cheers were raised unto His Majesty, and then the first line of defence of the Empire marched past Governor and people, fully impressing all with their qualifications, and by their precision satisfying the most sceptical that "Briton's sons are Britons yet," and that the British Navy has not deteriorated, and can still be relied on with confidence "To keep our foes at bay."
569