he Exhibition.

[Picture: The French policeman]

The two venturesome Americans who came to Europe in this ship had but
scant pleasure either in their voyage itself or in their visit to France
and England. Storm, wet, and hunger on the wide Atlantic were patiently
borne in hopes of meeting a warm welcome in Old England; but, instead,
they had the cold chill of doubt. Many of their sufferings in both these
ways were directly due to their own and their friends' mismanagement, the
stupid construction of their cabin, the foolish three-masted rig of their
boat, the boastful wager of the boat's builder, and their imprudence in
painting up the boat on her arrival, and tarring the ropes; and, lastly,
in allowing a mutilated paper to be issued as their "original log."

Disappointed here, they turned to Paris, expecting better days. Fair
promises were made. Steamers were to tow the boat up the Seine in
triumph; but it was towed against a bridge and smashed its masts. Agents
were to secure goodly numbers to visit her; but for three months scarcely
any one paid for a ticket, until at length the vessel was admitted into
the grounds of the Exhibition. Finally, the ruined Captain ran away to
England, but cleverly contrived to carry his ship with him. Whatever may
be thought as to the wisdom or advantage of making such a voyage and in
such a boat, it is a very great pity that when it has been effected there
should be a failure in appreciating its marvellous accomplishment.

The possibility of taking a boat across the Atlantic, with west wind
prevailing and with no rocks or shoals to fear, is altogether beyond
doubt. The ill-fate of two other boats that have tried the feat shews
how dangerous it is to try. The success of another more recent trip of
'man and wife' in one boat is reassuring. But after examining, probably
more than any body else, the evidence in their case--the men, the log,
the documents, and affidavits, and the boat, and its contents, also the
numerous doubts and criticisms from all quarters, both in London and
Paris, and in Dover and Margate, I have good reason to believe that the
"Red, White, and Blue" had no extraneous help in her voyage across that
wide ocean. The unexplained wonder is that men able and willing to
perform such a deed as this should be incapable of building and rigging
their boat so as to do it comfortably.

CHAPTER VIII.

Presents--The Emperor--Anecdote--Th