n charge, received
from all hands an assurance that they would obey his orders and remain
faithful to their colours.

"Never fear us, Mr Hurry," said Grampus; "we hopes you will see them
beautiful ladies safe with their friends, and will soon come back to
us."

I told him I hoped to return in a few days, and as I went over the side
all hands gave three cheers as an earnest of their sincerity.

The arrangements for the journey were soon made, and by two o'clock our
party was ready to commence the journey. At the door stood a coach
covered with gilding, but very much the worse for wear. Four horses
were attached to it, but their sorry appearance showed that they would
not be able to drag it except at a slow pace, and for a short distance.
On the coach-box sat a white-headed negro. He had once been a strong
stout man, but age had shrunk up his flesh and muscles, and his
countenance now seemed composed alone of black bumps and wrinkles and
protuberances, with two white orbs set in the midst of them. His lank
body and limbs were covered with a livery of blue and silver, but, like
the coach, sadly faded and worn. Two horses, of somewhat better
appearance, were held near at hand by some negro boys, and a little
farther off two black mounted servants held the reins of a couple of
well-conditioned palfreys with side-saddles on their backs. Mr Plowden
led the ladies to the door.

"I have done all I could, madam, for your convenience," said he, bowing
low and pointing to the equipage. "This war has left me in a very
different state to what I have been accustomed, or I would have enabled
you to journey in a style more befitting your position in life. The
carriage will convey you as far as those sorry steeds are able, and then
I fear that the bad nature of the roads will require you to continue
your journey on horseback."

Suitable replies were made, affectionate expressions were exchanged
between Mrs and the Misses Plowden and their guests, and the latter
took their seats in the old family coach. Spinks and I mounted the
horses, the black servants and the baggage-horses followed, and with
many bows and waves of the hands the cavalcade moved forward. The
carriage rolled creakingly on, pitching and tumbling and bumping over
the stones and into the ruts in the road. Frequently I moved up to the
window to exchange words with its occupants. They both expressed their
anxiety for the time when they might dismiss the vehi