heering words, and in several cases
rearranged bandages which had slipped. While thus engaged, an officer
entered the ward, and was about to reprimand her, when he saw, much to
his surprise, that she was as skilful as any doctor or nurse in the
hospital. When she had finished her self-imposed task, he thanked her
for her thoughtful kindness.

At last Mary Seacole saw Florence Nightingale, whom she describes in
these words: 'A slight figure, in the nurse's dress, with a pale,
gentle, and withal firm face, resting lightly on the palm of one white
hand, while the other supports the elbow--a position which gives to her
countenance a keen, enquiring expression which is very marked.
Standing thus in repose, and yet keenly observant, was Florence
Nightingale--that Englishwoman whose name shall never die, but sound
like music on the lips of British men until the hour of doom.'

Naturally Florence Nightingale was interested in the woman who came to
her warmly recommended by British medical officers, and made many
enquiries concerning her intentions. On the following morning Mary
Seacole resumed her journey, but these two good women met several times
before the war was ended.

On arriving at Balaclava Mary Seacole received hearty welcome from the
troops. Men who had been stationed in Jamaica told their comrades of
her bravery and kindness, and everyone hailed her as a great friend.
Many officers, including a general and that gallant Christian, Captain
Hedley Vicars, met her as she landed, and expressed their thanks to her
for coming to the Crimea.

Mary Seacole was soon at work among the wounded, assisting the doctors
to transfer them from the ambulances to the transports. While engaged
in this work, on the day after her arrival, she noticed a wounded man
who was evidently in great pain, and saw at once that his bandages were
stiff, and hurting him. Having rearranged them she gave the poor
fellow some tea, and as she placed it to his lips his hand touched
hers. 'Ha!' he exclaimed, too weak even to open his eyes, 'this is
surely a woman's hand. God bless you, woman, whoever you are! God
bless you!'

A few days later, as she was busy at her usual work of attending to the
sick and wounded, the Admiral of the Port placed his hand on her
shoulder, and said earnestly, 'I am glad to see you here among these
poor fellows.' A day or two before--when she had made some enquiries
concerning the landing of her stores--this adm