Besides the ship's company,
there was no one on board of the Blanche but the general and Mrs. Sharp;
and the Pacha, accustomed as he was to merriment and revelry, must have
been rather lonesome. But it was already proved that he was a reformed man,
and had entirely changed his manner of life.
The barge, which was a large eight-oar boat, had been made ready to lower
into the water, and the gangway had been rigged out. Though it was winter,
the ship was in 18 deg. north latitude, and the weather was as mild and
pleasant as in midsummer. There was no spray, and the ladies could go to
the Blanche as comfortably as in a carriage on shore.
At quarter before five the gong was sounded in the cabin and on deck to
call the party together in the boudoir, where they were to assemble. The
ship stopped at the mandate of the captain, and the barge was lowered, and
brought to the gangway. The boat was as handsome as anything that ever
floated, and the stern-sheets were luxurious enough for a fairy craft. The
crew of nine were all dressed in their white uniforms, and sat with their
oars tossed, except the cockswain, who stood bolt upright abaft the
back-board.
There were sixteen in the party, and the "Big Four" made their way to the
fore-sheets; the ladies were handed into the stern by the three guests, and
the barge shoved off.
Pages:
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117