Then the engines began to beat. There was a frightful clatter of

scrap-iron and wood in the port paddle-box, and they stopped

immediately, whereupon we noticed that the list of the vessel was

somewhat more marked than before. The remainder of the port paddle

had, in fact, fallen away into the water. The hymn-singers ceased

their melodies, absorbed in anticipating what would happen next. At

last, after many orders and goings to and fro, the engines started

again, this time, of course, the starboard paddle, deeply immersed,

moved by itself. We progressed with infinite slowness, and in a most

peculiar manner, but we did progress, and that was the main thing. The

passengers cheered heartily.

We appeared to go in curves, but each curve brought us nearer to

Calais. As we approached that haven of refuge, it seemed as if every

steamer and smack of Calais was coming out to meet us. The steamers

whistled, the owners of smacks bawled and shouted. They desired to

assist; for were we not disabled, and would not the English railway

company pay well for help so gallantly rendered? Our captain,

however, made no sign, and, like a wounded, sullen animal, from whom

its companions timidly keep a respectful distance, we at length

entered Calais harbor, and by dint of much seamanship and polyglottic

swearing brought up safely at the quay.

Then it was that one fully perceived, with a feeling of shame, how

night had magnified the seriousness of the adventure; how it had been

nothing, after all; how it would not fill more than half a column in

the newspapers; how the officers of the ship must have despised the

excited foolishness of passengers who would not listen to reasonable,

commonplace explanations.

The boat was evacuated in the twinkling of an eye. I have never seen a

Channel steamer so quickly empty itself. It was as though the people

were stricken by a sudden impulse to dash away from the poor craft at

any cost. At the Customs, amid all the turmoil and bustle, I saw

neither my young friend and his sister, nor my enemy, who so far had

clung to me on my journey.

I learned that a train would start in about a quarter of an hour. I

had some coffee and a roll at the buffet. While I was consuming that

trifling refection the young man and his sister joined me. The girl

was taciturn as before, but her brother talked cheerfully as he sipped

chocolate; he told me that his name was Watts, and he introduced his

sister. He had a pleasant but rather weak face, and as for his manner

and bearing, I could not decide in my own mind whether he was a

gentleman or a buyer from some London drapery warehouse on his way to

the city of modes. He gave no information as to his profession or

business, and as I had not even returned his confidence by revealing

my name, this was not to be wondered at.




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