'But that won't prevent you and I, Captain,
from drinking the ladies' good health.'
The General and I passed some time together and he gave me many useful
hints. The next morning about twenty able-bodied British tars presented
themselves at the hotel to transfer my effects on board the royal yacht.
By their united efforts they succeeded in getting it aboard; but I
could much more easily have carried the whole outfit myself. When on
board I descended to the Captain's cabin where I donned my suit and
got the appliances in the rubber bag. All this time carriages were
rapidly driving up to the side of the yacht, which was moored at the
dock; depositing their loads of courtiers, who came aboard and
promenaded up and down the decks. I was standing forward with the
Captain at the time and he told me the names of several noted
personages and high officers who were pouring up the gang plank. One
venerable looking man attracted my attention. I said:
'Holy blue, Captain, look at that man coming aboard now without any
pants on.'
'That gentleman,' said the Captain, 'is John Brown, Her Majesty's most
faithful servant and that is the National Scottish costume he wears.'
As I was gazing on John Brown with considerable curiosity, the Captain
said:
'Stand by now.
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