ereupon we noticed that the list of the vessel was
somewhat more marked than before. The remainder of the port paddle
had, in fact, fallen away into the water. The hymn-singers ceased
their melodies, absorbed in anticipating what would happen next. At
last, after many orders and goings to and fro, the engines started
again, this time, of course, the starboard paddle, deeply immersed,
moved by itself. We progressed with infinite slowness, and in a most
peculiar manner, but we did progress, and that was the main thing. The
passengers cheered heartily.

We appeared to go in curves, but each curve brought us nearer to
Calais. As we approached that haven of refuge, it seemed as if every
steamer and smack of Calais was coming out to meet us. The steamers
whistled, the owners of smacks bawled and shouted. They desired to
assist; for were we not disabled, and would not the English railway
company pay well for help so gallantly rendered? Our captain,
however, made no sign, and, like a wounded, sullen animal, from whom
its companions timidly keep a respectful distance, we at length
entered Calais harbor, and by dint of much seamanship and polyglottic
swearing brought up safely at the quay.

Then it was that one fully perceived, with a feeling of shame, how
night had magnified the seriousness of the adventure; how it had been
nothing, after all; how it would not fill more than half a column in
the newspapers; how the officers of the ship must have despised the
excited foolishness of passengers who would not listen to reasonable,
commonplace explanations.

The boat was evacuated in the twinkling of an eye. I have never seen a
Channel steamer so quickly empty itself. It was as though the people
were stricken by a sudden impulse to dash away from the poor craft at
any cost. At the Customs, amid all the turmoil and bustle, I saw
neither my young friend and his sister, nor my enemy, who so far had
clung to me on my journey.

I learned that a train would start in about a quarter of an hour. I
had some coffee and a roll at the buffet. While I was consuming that
trifling refection the young man and his sister joined me. The girl
was taciturn as before, but her brother talked cheerfully as he sipped
chocolate; he told me that his name was Watts, and he introduced his
sister. He had a pleasant but rather weak face, and as for his manner
and bearing, I could not decide in my own mind whether he was a
gentleman or a buyer from some Londo