ined the deck amidst the cheering
of the public, the hawser was cast off, and we plunged into the bay.

And now behold the honorary steward in the hour of duty and glory; see
me circulate amid the crowd, radiating affability and laughter, liberal
with my sweetmeats and cigars. I say unblushing things to hobble-dehoy
girls, tell shy young persons this is the married people's boat,
roguishly ask the abstracted if they are thinking of their sweethearts,
offer paterfamilias a cigar, am struck with the beauty and grow curious
about the age of mamma's youngest, who (I assure her gaily) will be a
man before his mother; or perhaps it may occur to me, from the sensible
expression of her face, that she is a person of good counsel, and I ask
her earnestly if she knows any particularly pleasant place on the
Saucelito or San Rafael coast--for the scene of our picnic is always
supposed to be uncertain. The next moment I am back at my giddy badinage
with the young ladies, wakening laughter as I go, and leaving in my wake
applausive comments of "Isn't Mr. Dodd a funny gentleman?" and "O, I
think he's just too nice!"

An hour having passed in this airy manner, I start upon my rounds
afresh, with a bag full of coloured tickets all with pins attached, and
all with legible inscriptions: "Old Germany," "California," "True Love,"
"Old Fogies," "La Belle France," "Green Erin," "The Land of Cakes,"
"Washington," "Blue Jay," "Robin Red-Breast"--twenty of each
denomination; for when it comes to the luncheon we sit down by twenties.
These are distributed with anxious tact--for, indeed, this is the most
delicate part of my functions--but outwardly with reckless unconcern,
amidst the gayest flutter and confusion; and are immediately after
sported upon hats and bonnets, to the extreme diffusion of cordiality,
total strangers hailing each other by "the number of their mess"--so we
humorously name it--and the deck ringing with cries of, "Here, all Blue
Jays to the rescue!" or, "I say, am I alone in this blame' ship? Ain't
there no more Californians?"

By this time we are drawing near to the appointed spot. I mount upon the
bridge, the observed of all observers.

"Captain," I say, in clear, emphatic tones, heard far and wide, "the
majority of the company appear to be in favour of the little cove beyond
One-Tree Point."

"All right, Mr. Dodd," responds the captain heartily; "all one to me. I
am not exactly sure of the place you mean; but just you s