Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 AN INTERVIEW WITH GORSHIN (Part 10)

   By KATZMAREK (C)

   ---------------------------------------------

   "It wasn't until the middle of December 1905 that I received my ticket
home," explained Admiral Gorshin.  "Alas it wasn't to be in the relative
comfort of a railway carriage but on a steamer, a pestilential crock of a
rustbucket called the 'SS Bazan'."

   "A Merchantman?" asked Ensign Koscuisko.

   "Under Charter to the Ministry of Marine," Gorshin replied.  "She was
old and her engines feeble.  She had been on the timber trade out of Dailan
and had been about to return when the Japanese attacked.  The ordinary
seamen were given space in the holds while we officers squeezed into the
cabins.  I had to share a cabin with 6 other officers.  It was designed to
accomodate 2...  it was very uncomfortable."

   "We steamed in company with two other merchantmen, together with the
Almaz and the Rossiya which had been ordered to return to Kronshtadt.  Both
warships still sported visible battle damage.  The crews were very proud of
it."

   "It was a miserable voyage on the transports.  Many of the ordinary
seamen were discontent with their food and conditions, Naval discipline,
the attitude of the officers, the Navy and the Government in general.  They
held meetings, made resolutions and formed committees."

   "How did the officers react?" asked the archivist.

   "Many of us had sympathy with them, particularly the Destroyer Officers
who after all, shared many of their conditions.  Some tried to get tough
but they didn't have any confidence in the Marine Guards so couldn't do
anything about it.  Pikalevoi was outstanding...  he talked to the men in
their own language, joked with them...  kept the lid on."

   "We coaled at Tsingtao...  40 men promptly deserted...  we let them go.
No-one could be bothered going after them."

   "What of this couple, the Yevtushenkos, who you lived with in the Hotel
in Vladivostok?  What happened to them?" asked the Ensign.

   --------------------------------------------------------

   Grusha Yevtushenko's Mother slept soundly and noisily on the big padded
sofa of Yvgeny's room at the Grand Hotel.  Mother and Daughter were trying,
in their separate ways, to convince him to remain as their protector.

   Latinka Yevtushenko had adopted the habit of 'relieving' him in the
early morning.  She had hitherto baulked at full sex, perhaps reserving
something for the future as she wished it.  Her Daughter, Grusha, had
invited Yvgeny to take her to bed as her Mother did.  A sign, he supposed,
of the level of trust she had in him.  But when he'd bent to give her a
goodnight kiss, she'd grabbed his head and sucked him in.

   "What are you doing?" Yvgeny hissed.

   "That's what you and Mama do," she told him.  Her voice was a whine, her
expression defensive.  "And other things?"

   "That's none of your business!"

   "Why?  Mama said you liked it.  She said we should make you happy."

   "Did she now!" Yvgeny replied, "and why would that be?"

   "So...  so you would stay and look after us...  just like Papa did."

   "I see!  And did you kiss your Papa like that?" he asked.

   "Sometimes," she replied, haltingly.  Uncertainty in her voice.  "When
it was cold..."

   "Go on."

   "When it was cold, all of us would cuddle together in the big bed."

   "Yes, I know, so?"

   "So, sometimes Papa would want to do it with Mama.  I was next to them
and I'd get to watch.  When I was little, I was a bit frightened because I
didn't know what he was doing but then...  well...  I understood
eventually. Papa would then lean over and kiss me...  like that...  with
his tongue and everything...  while he was doing Mama."

   "After a while," Grusha continued, "he showed me what he was doing.  He
took my hand and put it down between them...  it was all slimy, I didn't
like it.  Sometimes, though, I'd play with it when it was all floppy.  Papa
didn't mind."

   "I bet he didn't!" muttered Yvgeny.

   "So you see, I know all about it...  always have...  since I was
little."

   "What did your Mother think of all this?"

   Grusha shrugged.  "She thought it was good that I knew everything.  She
said she didn't know a thing when she married Papa."

   "She didn't mind you playing with your Father's...?"

   "'Cock?' See, I know the words...  and 'fuck,' that's what you want to
do to Mama."

   "You didn't answer!" Yvgeny said, trying to control his discomfort.

   "She didn't mind.  So long as I didn't let him put it up me, she thought
it was ok."

   "Good God!"

   "What's the matter?" Grusha asked, concerned.

   "It's just that that's not a proper thing for a Father...  er, I mean,
you're his Daughter and...  oh, what the fuck, it's none of my business,"
Yvgeny stammered.

   "So what do you want to do?" she asked, pulling up her nightshirt.

   Yvgeny flopped onto his back, trying to think past the alcohol and his
raging libido.  He could feel Grusha next to him shuffling with her night
clothes, could sense the heat from her body.

   "We musn't fuck," she continued, "Mama will probably do that later.  But
I could rub you and you could suck my titties?  You could play with my
pussy if you want, would you like that?" Yvgeny groaned.

   ----------------------------------------

   "They were both completely sex mad," explained the Admiral to the young
Ensign, "I think the Siberian Sergeant had his work cut out for him," he
chuckled, "keeping those two happy..."

   "You think her own Father had sex with her?" asked the Archivist,
shocked.

   "Probably," Gorshin shrugged, "who knows?  There wasn't much anyone
could have told her about the act.  I'm sure she didn't learn that much
just from looking.  Have you got a Sister?"

   "Yes, why?"

   "Ever wanted to give her one?  Be honest?  Ever wanted her to flash her
boobies, her pussy?"

   "Sir...  I," the Ensign flushed red.

   "Of course you did.  I can tell.  You're a normal red-blooded young man,
no?"

   "I suppose so."

   "Then you understand my dilemma...  and the Sergeant's for that matter."

   -------------------------------------------

   Grusha rolled over to face him.  Yvgeny stared at the plaster mouldings
on the ceiling.  He could feel her leg slowly slide over his bulge.

   "Hmm," she cooed, "Mama said you had a nice one.  She really wants you
to fuck her, y'know."

   "Grusha, I..."

   "Do you think they're pretty, look?" she continued, ignoring his
protests.

   Yvgeny slowly turned his face towards her and found her holding the
nightshirt above her breasts.  "Mmm?" she pressed.

   Yvgeny was aware of her pale skin, her body slightly puffy from the
onset of womanhood.  Her breasts were twin, upturned teacups; soft and
jiggling as she submitted herself for his inspection.

   Orthodox Christianity had not figured large in Yvgeny's upbringing. 
Every Russian, however, was aware of its teachings and injunctions.  At the
back of his mind he knew it was sinful to lust after one so young.  But
this girl confused him.  At one she was the child, relishing in childhood
delights such as swings, desserts and fresh fruit.  The other, the
seductress, sexually aware before it was proper.  He watched her offering
herself to him and felt his resolve weaken.

   "Yes, pretty," he croaked.  Reaching out, he touched the little, pink
button of a nipple.  She shivered at the sensation.

   "You can kiss them if you like," she told him.  He bent down and
extended his tongue.  Brushing the tip over her teat, he then delivered a
gentle kiss.  He heard a soft giggling.  "You're a lot more gentle than..."
she started to say before stopping herself.  "Tickles," she added.

   Yvgeny continued to kiss and caress her breasts with his tongue and
lips, while Grusha cradled his head in her arm.  She continued sliding her
leg over his erection, growing tighter in the confines of his long
underwear.  He could feel the heat from her teenage pussy against his thigh
and realised she must be rubbing it against him.  The thought made him
achingly hard.

   He looked up and she folded him into an embrace, pressing her lips
firmly against his.  Yvgeny responded, as any man would to the advances of
a pretty woman.  He rolled her on her back and insinuated his leg between
her thighs.  Her legs opened wider and she thrust her abdomen up at him. 
He pushed his fingers down and cupped her sex, finding it open and moist
with arousal.  Grusha sucked in her breath and bit her bottom lip.

   "Ohh!" she sighed, and held him tighter.  She then reached down with her
own hand and grabbed his bulge, massaging it with her palm.

   "No!" Yvgeny said firmly.  To her questioning look, he told her, "I
don't want to sleep in wet, slimy underwear."

   Grusha chuckled; a deep, throaty laugh that made her eyes dance with
mischief.  "Take them off, silly!"

   "You know more than you should." Yvgeny stated the obvious as he untied
his underpants.

   "Mama said I was born with my legs open," she explained, laughing.  "As
if she didn't know.  Daddy wasn't her first, you know, she told me."

   "You be careful or you'll be nursing infants before your confirmation."

   "I'm not a harlot, you know." she said, suddenly serious.  "I don't let
just anyone do...  I mean, no-one has put their thing..."

   "You're telling me you're still a virgin?" he asked, finally freeing his
pants from his ankles.

   "Almost!"

   "Almost?  How can you be 'almost a virgin'?" he laughed.

   "Well!" she looked conflicted, "just about...  I mean, just a little way
in...  enough to break...  you know...  but not enough to..."

   "And who did that?"

   "Can't say," she responded quickly, "Mama would kill me!" Her eyes
flicked to the slumbering figure of her Mother.  "Hey!" changing the
subject, "let's see if it's as nice and Mama said."

   She lifted the sheet and rested her head on Yvgeny's chest.  "Hmm," she
clicked her tongue, "very nice!  Mama's going to be pleased!"

   "You're so sure your Mother's going to..."

   "I *know* she will, and looking at that, I can see why!" she laughed. 
She then reached down and flicked his cock with her fingers.

   "Ow!"

   "Aw, here, let me rub it better." She began to massage him with her
hand, "better?"

   "Hmm!"

   "Want me to put in my mouth?"

   "Christ almighty, is there nothing...?"

   "Told you I know all about it.  Here, let me show you what I can do."

   --------------------------------------

   "That girl could sure blow a whistle," Gorshin told the Ensign,
chuckling, "lots of natural talent.  Destined for great things, that girl.
She became an officer in the Red Guard.  Never married, but a regiment of
lovers in her time.  Never did get knocked up either, strange.  She's still
alive, too, retired and living in Leningrad.  If I was younger and could
still get it up, I'd give her spin or two."

   "So what happened to them when you returned?"

   "I left them tickets West and letters of introduction to some friends.
Latinka hooked up with a Naval Officer and banged out another couple of
kids.  Lived in Murmansk for a while, I believe.  He served in the Northern
Fleet...  in submarines, idiot!"

   "You don't like submarines?"

   "I'm claustrophobic.  Once was enough...  I was screaming to get out of
the infernal thing.  A Malyutka*, only 100 tons, like being sealed in an
oil drum."

   (*'Marlin'; small coastal submarine, prefabricated in sections all over
the Soviet Union during World War Two.  The pieces were then transported by
railway and assembled at the Naval bases of Russia's three fleets,
Northern, Black Sea and Baltic.  Nicknamed 'Tadpole,' nearly 200 were built
between 1938 and 1946)

   -----------------------------------------

   Grusha promptly lowered her mouth over him, scraping gently along his
length with her teeth.  Yvgeny reached out to caress her bare arse, seeking
out her crevice with his fingers.  Parting her little hairy bush, he was
rewarded by a trickle of lubrication.  She trembled slightly and parted her
thighs, allowing Yvgeny to satisfy himself she had no intact hymen.  He
explored her for awhile with his finger while appreciating the work she was
doing on his cock.

   "Is that okay?" she asked from under the cover.

   "Fine!" Yvgeny croaked.

   "See, told you!" she said as she continued with the task.

   Meanwhile, Yvgeny found the tiny bud of her clitoris and began
manipulating it with his finger.  Grusha pulled her mouth off him to
breathe.  She then flopped back and lay beside him on her back, panting.

   "Whew!  Why haven't you squirted yet?  Am I not doing it right?"

   "You're fine...  control!  And the booze...  slows you down!"

   "Oh!  Will you touch me again with your fingers?  That was nice!"

   Yvgeny returned to the girl's pussy and continued to saw her slit. 
Grusha closed her eyes and hummed to herself, while squirming under
Yvgeny's attention.  She grabbed his cock in her fist and pulled on him
urgently.

   She grabbed a lungful of air and stiffened.  Yvgeny paused.

   "No...  oh...  keep going!" she cried.

   "You sure?"

   "Yes...  oh!"

   Yvgeny continued while Grusha desperately thrust herself at his fingers.
He increased the pressure and speed making her gasp with excitement.  Her
body heaved, she gritted her teeth and hissed.

   "Ohh...  Ohhh," she hollered, "ahhhhh!"

   Yvgeny straddled her and masturbated while Grusha played with his balls.
His cum arched over her face and landed in her hair and the pillow behind.
"Yech!" she grimaced, "that's disgusting!"

   "Sorry!  Couldn't help it," he gasped.

   "Control, huh?" she said, smiling.

   "You minx!" he told her and playfully squeezed her cheek.

   ---------------------------------------

   Yvgeny had lots of time to reflect on his experiences at the Grand
Hotel, Vladivostok, as the survivors of Tsushima retraced their way through
the Yellow Sea.  Tactlessly, one of Kamimura's cruisers, the Idzumo,
escorted them down the China coast to Shanghai, before paying a visit to
that British treaty port.

   The Russians anchored at Shanghai, too, and the officers were allowed
ashore.  Many Japanese sailors were also enjoying some shore leave and it
wasn't long before Gorshin encountered some in the crowded markets.

   He was surprised to find they were exceedingly respectful towards him.
They bowed and offered him little gifts.  A multilingual Chinese public
servant explained to him that it was their way of recognising his courage.

   "They respect you," the man said in broken Russian, "they've all heard
of the Grozny and her heroic deeds."

   "What heroic deeds?" Yvgeny asked, bemused.

   "You fought your way out...  you completed your mission...  Japanese
consider that you brought honour to your flag."

   "Do they now?"

   It wasn't long before a list of Russian Officers arrived whom the
Japanese wished to entertain on the Idzumo.  Yvgeny accepted the
invitation, still stunned at this hero-worship from their erstwhile enemy.
Some of the Russians refused, still smarting with the emotion of their
defeat.  Yvgeny was surprised at the detailed knowledge the Japanese Navy
had about the crews of the Russian warships.

   The Idzumo held a ceremony for the Russian Officers.  As each name was
called, the Russians marched up between the lines of clapping Japanese
officers to be presented with a fine, carved ivory casket containing fans,
mementos and jewelry of exquisite workmanship.  For each Russian, too, was
a photograph of the Idzumo and a portrait of Admiral Togo.  Yvgeny accepted
the gifts in the spirit they were given, he hoped.

   Sake followed after a lavish meal.  A translator was on hand to relay
questions on the battle of Tsushima.  All the Japanese wanted to know every
detail of the Russian experience.

   ------------------------------

   "What can I say?" Gorshin continued, "the Japanese treated us very, very
well.  That Sake was some of the strongest drink I've ever sampled.  Not a
few of us were carried back to our ships drunk by teams of Japanese seamen.
An officer accompanied each to ensure we were manhandled properly and
respectfully.  As we left Shanghai, the Idzumo gave us a nineteen gun
salute, can you believe that?  Its crew lined up on deck and gave us three
cheers.  I've never seen such a thing.  To think we were shooting at each
other not long before!  Strange people, the Japanese."

   "Years later I began to gather some understanding of the Japanese way of
thinking.  There was no shame in defeat, only in not doing your duty.  To
run away is unforgivable.  To succumb heroically, looking your enemy in the
eye, is sublime."

   "The Grozny ran away?"

   "Following orders, that's the difference," Gorshin replied, irritated.

   Admiral Gorshin pointed to his mantelpiece of photographs and indicated
the photo of the 'Idzumo' he still kept.  "Katka made me put 'Admiral Togo'
away in the drawer," he added, "she said she couldn't stand looking into
his eyes.  It's still there...  in the top of the cabinet.  I left it there
after she passed away...  she wouldn't like it if I put it on the mantel."

   "Did you hear from her at this time?" asked the Ensign.

   "No, not a thing.  Most of the others were in the same position, never
heard from their loved ones during their whole time in the East.  The mail
was held up on the railway.  Routed onto a siding at Irkutsk, I believe,
and forgotten." The Admiral shrugged, "got that crap all the time.  Even
today, no-one gives a fuck!"

   "So for all you knew..."

   "For all I knew she was bundled up with some Farmer's son from the
village, banging him breathless."

   "Yes...  um...  and did you...  with this Latinka...  um?"

   "Is this for the State archives?" he laughed, "Katka would be furious!
Yes, she banged like a barn door!"

   -----------------------------------------

   The following evening they dined as usual and retired early, claiming to
be still suffering the effects of the night before's bingeing.  This time
Yvgeny found himself in the middle of the bed, Grusha having chosen to
sleep on the other side of him.  They'd all had a little champagne with the
meal, but were relaxed rather than drunk.

   Gorshin had an arm around each of the women's shoulders and they chatted
about the day, cuddled together.

   Vladivostok was emptying out of Military and refugees quickly now that
the trains were moving.  The town was breathing easier, now.  Even the
despised Kuban Cossacks had been withdrawn and replaced with civilian
police.

   The weather was growing warmer and the daylight hours increasing with
every dawn.  Traditional May celebrations had been held with street parades
and dancing.  Spring flowers were carefully nurtured in the many window
boxes and sprinkled the grey streets with colour.

   The Navy belched clouds of black smoke into the clear, blue skies as
auxiliaries and utility vessels began to service the surviving warships of
the Russian Pacific Squadrons.  Workmen swarmed over the cruiser Rossiya,
preparing her for sailing, while the Almaz lay in dry dock having some of
her buckled hull plating replaced.

   Townsfolk visited the Grozny and Bravy tied up at the pier.  The little
Destroyers held a fascination for them and everyone wanted to pay homage.

   The Treaty between Japan and Russia had been signed.  Russian warships
interned in neutral ports; principally, the Diana in Saigon, the Oleg,
Aurora and Zhemchug in Manila and Admiral Vitjevt's Battleship Tsesarevich,
cruisers Boyarin and Askold and three Destroyers at Tsingtao, had now been
released.  The speedy Askold, whose 5 tall narrow funnels inspired the
British to dub her, 'a packet of Woodbines,' after a brand of cigarettes,
was particularly popular with the locals and everyone looked forward to her
return.

   Optimism and gaiety was replacing gloom and despair.  Everyone felt it
zinging in the air with each new day.

   Grusha rolled over on her side, facing away from Yvgeny, while he put
his arms around Latinka and snuggled into her warm body.  Grusha's Mother
shuffled against his body as if uncomfortable.  Eventually she turned onto
her back and looked into his eyes, a strange expression on her face. 
Taking his hand, she placed it over her right breast.

   Through the cotton, Yvgeny could feel her nipple begin to harden.  Still
staring into his eyes, she moved her face perceptably closer.  As if by
some telepathic agreement, they kissed; a warm, lingering, passionate
exchange of feeling.

   Latinka held his hand harder against her breast and Yvgeny responded by
gently kneading the soft flesh.  Removing his hand, she sat up suddenly and
deftly removed her nightshirt, pulling it over her head and discarding it
on the floor.  She then lay back, took his hand once more and replaced it
on her hot, and very naked teat.  She grabbed his head with her other hand
and pulled him firmly down to kiss her again.

   She wore the silk panties that Yvgeny had bought her.  Yvgeny ran his
hand down her body, over the shiny fabric, and onto her naked thigh.  She
gurgled and groaned beneath his lips and tongue and slid her hands over his
muscled torso.  When he sought the heat between her legs, she didn't object
and spread her knees a little wider.

   Suddenly Yvgeny became aware of a light touch on his cotton-covered
arse. It could only be Grusha.  He was, however, beyond caring as he
continued to kiss and caress her Mother.

   'So was this the routine with her Soldier/Farmer husband?' he wondered,
'making love to his wife while his daughter caressed his balls and arse and
then got to play with his dick?' It all seem weird to Yvgeny, raised in a
conservative Navy family.  But he'd seen a lot of strange customs on his
sojourn around the World and his eyes had been opened to many
possibilities. 'Still,' he thought, 'if this was the custom in this family,
then who was he to say it was wrong?' That dismissal in his mind occured at
the same time as Grusha began to feel between his legs.

   His cock sprang to attention upon Grusha's caressing of his balls,
Latinka's urgent groping of his body, and the moist heat he sensed through
her silk panties.  If her Mother was aware of her Daughter's assistance she
gave no indication.

   He pushed his hand inside Latinka's underwear, over the damp crinkly
bush, and onto her boiling, slippery sex.  She released a groan and pushed
herself against his probing fingers.  As Yvgeny suckled her distended
nipples, she felt for his bulge and slid her hand under the waistband of
his underwear.  Seizing his knob, she groaned again as she struggled to
free it.

   His long underwear capitulated under the twin assaults of Mother and
Daughter.  Grusha seized the waistband from the back while her Mother
pushed them down from the front.  She still didn't seem to notice the
assistance her Daughter was giving her.  Yvgeny became very excited by the
powerful eroticism of it all.  'This time,' he thought, 'he was going to
fuck the Mother bandy and nothing was going to get in his way.' Lust, and a
Month of teasing had broken through his self-control.

   Indeed, it appeared that was precisely what Latinka had in mind, too, as
she pulled on him closer towards the warm delights of her pussy.  Her
panties were now halfway down her thighs and she shuffled them quickly down
her legs and off.  Seizing his cock once more, she pulled him across her
sweaty thigh and towards her waiting gash.

   Yvgeny rolled over between her legs and lay on top of her.  She still
held his cock, now comfortably nestled along her slit.  She moved her
bottom, massaging his length against her quim, while Grusha continued to
stroke his arse cheeks and tickle his balls.  He turned his head to look at
the daughter and found her watching, grinning at him.

   "Told you!" she mouthed.

   Latinka raised her knees on either side of Yvgeny's body and pushed more
urgently against his prick.  She was making groans and hisses through her
teeth, which were clenched together with the exertion.

   On impulse, as if suddenly making up her mind, and quickly, lest she
should suddenly change it, she pushed his knob down until it sank into the
juicy glove of her vagina.  With one collective thrust he was home, not
admittedly the tightest pussy he'd encountered, but it enclosed him with
exquisite sensation.

   Latinka sucked in her breath at the pleasurable intrusion.  She squeezed
him and held his arse firmly in place with her hands.  Slowly she began to
roll her hips against him in a sedate fucking motion.  Despite the urgency
of the situation, Yvgeny followed the rhythm set by the curvy woman and
rolled his own hips in time to hers.

   "Uh!" she grunted, and pushed against him more urgently, "uh, oh!"

   Yvgeny felt a hand on his head and turned to find Grusha's face inches
from his own.  She gave him a long sloppy kiss with plenty of tongue.  Her
Mother opened her eyes and watched them, seemingly unconcerned.

   "Ok, Mama?" Grusha asked.  Her mother smiled and nodded her head.

   "More!" Latinka told Yvgeny, "more!" she repeated, urgently.  He stroked
into her faster and faster as her moaning grew in intensity.  He turned to
Grusha again and found her still grinning and absently squeezing her little
left breast.  On impulse, he found the girl's panties with his free hand
and pushed his fingers inside.  Grusha giggled and put her hand over his.

   "Oh...oooohhhh," howled her Mother, "uuuuhhhh, yes, ooooohhhh.  Yvgeny,
come!" she then urged, "do it...  uhhh...  want to feel..."

   "Come in her," whispered Grusha, urgently, "go on, she wants it!"

   Yvgeny found himself boiling over, bursting to shoot deep inside her. 
As the first spasm shot from him, his two companions shouted encouragement
and pleasure.

   "Oh, yes!" howled Latinka.

   "Do it, Papa!" cried her Daughter.

   "Oh, God, fuck, ohhhhhhh!"

   "Oh, Papa!"

   "Oh, God!"

   "Oh, shit!" cried Yvgeny, as he blasted stream after stream of hot
liquid deep into the woman.

   A little later, they were lying side by side and passing a cigarette,
then something of a novelty, between each other.  Yvgeny's hand was still
trapped inside Grusha's underwear as she tried to make him move it around
more.  Latinka's hand roved over his chest and she gave him little kisses
between puffs.

   "Good man, sweet man," she told him.  She placed his free hand on her
own dripping pussy and he wriggled his finger into her amid the gooey
secretions.  Finally Grusha persuaded him to give her his full attention.
Turning to her, he kissed her passionately while harassing her little bud
with his finger.

   "No!  No!" her Mother cried, stubbing out the cigarette and grabbing his
flaccid prick.  She held it flat to his stomach as he rolled into Grusha's
embrace.  "Don't put that in her!" she told him firmly and, to make sure,
pinned his penis to his tummy with her arm.

   "I won't!" he hissed at Latinka, annoyed.  He then brought the Daughter
to an orgasm as her Mother held his cock firmly out of harm's way.

   ------------------------------------------

   "It was pretty much full on after that.  At least for the next week or
two before I had to leave.  They wanted it every day," chuckled the
Admiral, "the damned weirdest situation I've ever been in in my life."

   "So you had the Mother, but not the Daughter?" asked the Ensign.

   "No, not the Daughter in the way I had the Mother.  Pretty much anything
else was okay by them, though.  They jumped me in my bath one day...  the
two of them.  I tongued the Daughter while the Mother bounced up and down
on top.  I tell you, Ensign, it was bloody exhausting!"

   "So you left them eventually?"

   "Yes!" sighed the Admiral, "there were tears and emotion...  another
parting like so many others on that voyage and none of them was easy.  They
wanted me to take them back West, of course.  But I couldn't.  Some things
are best left behind.  It's always the way."

   "You gave them tickets, though?"

   "Yes, I made sure they were all right, naturally.  It was the manly
thing to do."

   ------------------------------------------------

   The SS Bazan sailed out of Shanghai and skirted the Phillipine sea for
her next port of call, Manila.  It would be a lonely, anxious seven weeks
before he again sighted the familiar shores of the Baltic Sea.

   KATZMAREK(c)