Fiction > Book editions > London, 1885 - Dynamiter

The FAiii CUBAN. 160
of a Sneering manner underneath — and touching his cap,
' My lady,' said lie, ' if that is what you are, the boat is
ready.'
My reception on board the ' Nemorosa ' (for so the
yacht was named) partook of the same mingled nature.
We were scarcely within hail of that great and elegant
fabric, where she lay rolling gunwale under and churning
the blue sea to snow, before the bulwarks were lined
with the heads of a great crowd of seamen, black, white,
and yellow ; and these and the few who manned tlio
boat began exchanging shouts in some lim/ua franca in-
comprehensible to me. All eyes were directed on the
passenger ; and once more I saw the negroes toss up
their hands to heaven, but now as if with passionate
wonder and delight.
At the head of the gang^vay, I was received by
another officer, a gentlemanly man with blond and
bushy whiskers ; and to him I addressed my demand to
see Sir George.
' But this is not ' he cried, and paused.
' I know it,' returned the other officer, who liad
brought me from the shore. ' But what the devil can
we do ? Look at all the niggers ! '
I followed his direction ; and as my eye lighted upon
each, the poor ignorant Africans ducked, and bowed, and
threw their hands into the air, as though in the presence
of a creature half divine. Apparently the officer with
the whiskers had instantly come round to the opinion of
his subaltern ; for he now addressed me with every signal
of respect.
' Sir George is at the island, my lady,' said he : ' for
which, with your ladyship's permission, I shall im-
mediately make all sail. The cabins are prepared.
Steward, take Lady Greville below.'
Under this new name, then, and so captivated by
surprise that I could neither think nor speak, I was
ushered into a spacious and airy cabin, hung about with
weapons and surrounded by divans. The steward asked
for my commands ; but I was by this time so wearied,
bewildered and disturbed, that I could only wave him