deck of the old
"Hampden" inactive all the while, although seldom attracting much of my
notice. Soldiers were mustering, knapsacks packing, rolls calling,
belts buffing, and coats brushing on all sides; men grumbling; sergeants
cursing; officers swearing; half-dressed invalids popping up their heads
out of hatchways, answering to wrong names, and doctors ordering them
down again with many an anathema; soldiers in the way of sailors, and
sailors always hauling at something that interfered with the inspection-
drill: every one in the wrong place, and each cursing his neighbor for
stupidity.

At last the shore-boats boarded us, as if our confusion wanted anything
to increase it. Red-faced harbor-masters shook hands with the skipper
and pilot, and disappeared into the "round-house" to discuss grog and
the late gales. Officers from the garrison came out to welcome their
friends, for it was the second battalion we had on board of a regiment
whose first had been some years in Canada; and then what a rush of
inquiries were exchanged. "How's the Duke?" "All quiet in England?" "No
signs of war in Europe?" "Are the 8th come home?" "Where's Forbes?" "Has
Davern sold out?"--with a mass of such small interests as engage men who
live in coteries.

Then there were emissaries for newspapers, eagerly hunting for spicy
rumors not found in the last journals; waiters of hotels, porters,
boatmen, guides, Indians with moccasins to sell, and a hundred other
functionaries bespeaking custom and patronage; and, although often
driven over the side most ignominiously at one moment, certain to
reappear the next at the opposite gangway.

How order could ever be established in this floating Babel, I knew not;
and yet at last all got into train somehow.

First one large boat crammed with men, who sat even on the gunwales,
moved slowly away; then another and another followed; a lubberly thing,
half lighter, half jolly-boat, was soon loaded with baggage, amid which
some soldiers' wives and a scattering population of babies were seen;
till by degrees the deck was cleared, and none remained of all that vast
multitude, save the "mate" and the "watch," who proceeded to get things
"ship-shape,"--pretty much in the same good-tempered spirit servants are
accustomed to put the drawing-rooms to rights, after an entertainment
which has kept them up till daylight, and allows of no time for sleep.
Till then I had net the slightest conception of what a voyage end