uld scarcely be got for money. The King had
gone for a cruise in his yacht, and they would be in time to see him
land.

Then drums and fifes were heard, and in a minute or two they saw Sergeant
Stanner advancing along the street with a firm countenance, fiery poll,
and rigid staring eyes, in front of his recruiting-party. The sergeant's
sword was drawn, and at intervals of two or three inches along its
shining blade were impaled fluttering one-pound notes, to express the
lavish bounty that was offered. He gave a stern, suppressed nod of
friendship to our people, and passed by. Next they came up to a waggon,
bowered over with leaves and flowers, so that the men inside could hardly
be seen.

'Come to see the King, hip-hip hurrah!' cried a voice within, and turning
they saw through the leaves the nose and face of Cripplestraw. The
waggon contained all Derriman's workpeople.

'Is your master here?' said John.

'No, trumpet-major, sir. But young maister is coming to fetch us at nine
o'clock, in case we should be too blind to drive home.'

'O! where is he now?'

'Never mind,' said Anne impatiently, at which the trumpet-major
obediently moved on.

By the time they reached the pier it was six o'clock; the royal yacht was
returning; a fact announced by the ships in the harbour firing a salute.
The King came ashore with his hat in his hand, and returned the
salutations of the well-dressed crowd in his old indiscriminate fashion.
While this cheering and waving of handkerchiefs was going on Anne stood
between the two brothers, who protectingly joined their hands behind her
back, as if she were a delicate piece of statuary that a push might
damage. Soon the King had passed, and receiving the military salutes of
the piquet, joined the Queen and princesses at Gloucester Lodge, the
homely house of red brick in which he unostentatiously resided.

As there was yet some little time before the theatre would open, they
strayed upon the velvet sands, and listened to the songs of the sailors,
one of whom extemporized for the occasion:--

'Portland Road the King aboard, the King aboard!
Portland Road the King aboard,
We weighed and sailed from Portland Road!' {272}

When they had looked on awhile at the combats at single-stick which were
in progress hard by, and seen the sum of five guineas handed over to the
modest gentleman who had broken most heads, they returned to Gloucester
Lodge, whence the King and other me