The carriages for the steamer could not go fast enough to satisfy the
old, or the young people. Several schoolmates, artists, business and
society friends met them on the dock. Many fashionable people had already
arrived to say "_Bon Voyage_" to the Harrises and to Leo. Hundreds of
others had come to see their own friends off. It was all excitement among
the passengers, and carriages kept coming and going.
Not so with the English officers and sailors of the "Majestic." They were
calm and ready for the homeward passage.
The last mail bag had been put aboard, and the receipts to the government
hurriedly signed. Mr. Searles had said good-bye, and last of all to
Colonel Harris. As the colonel went up the gangway, the bell rang and the
cries "All aboard" were given. For once, Colonel Harris felt a sense of
great relief to thus cut loose from his business, and take his first long
vacation, in twenty-five years from hard work.
"Now, I shall have a good time, and a much needed rest," he said. But
just as he stepped into the steamer's dining-saloon, Mr. Searles, who had
hastily followed, touched him on the shoulder and said. "Here, Colonel
Harris, is a telegram for you."
Harris quickly tore it open.
Pages:
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55