An Expert Gunner.

Mr. Hesketh had been a gunner in the Royal Navy, and when he joined the Railway service he brought with him a battery of two guns with which he fired salutes on suitable occasions. The guns were also used at times for starting and winning signals in connection with regattas, then a popular form of amusement. Although generally referred to as “the railway battery,” the possession and use of the guns was entirely Mr. Hes-keth's affair, and when he left the railway service his battery also left. The care of the guns was entrusted to an ex-sailor named Louis, who was also employed by the railway in looking after tarpaulins, ropes, and bolsters and in doing other handyman jobs. He took great pride in the guns and kept them in first-class condition. When they were in action he handled the sponge and rammer like an expert.