I did not understand. But I was thereby encouraged to resist going to be marline-spiked.
The midshipmen came at last—hot, breathless, flustered, laden with chocolates and apologies— but they were not listened to, were most haughtily repulsed; there were tossing heads and disdainful pouts—but sidelong glances at the chocolates—and the most emphatic "Noes," which were meant to be "Yes-es" in the end. Real women these.
The midshipmen appealed to me, and after a time I succeeded in making peace, and, by representing that unless they went at once it would be too late, got rid of them all. Not all, though—for the Belle of New York was tired—would not go whispered, "I want to stay with you!"
So, when all was quiet, she smiled an ineffable smile on me; I moved to one side, and she crept up, turned round and nestled into a corner of the chair, placed my hand on her forehead, gave a big sigh of relief and was sound asleep in a minute! Poor, tired little creature; her head rested on my outstretched arm, which grew perfectly numb and stiff, but it might have dropped off ere I would have moved it.I do not believe there is anything so beautiful in life as a little child asleep—and I just loved this one.
It is the thing to go from Hong-Kong to Macao, the Portuguese place, for week-ends; but I went on a Tuesday. I left my room and all my belongings in charge of my three Chinese boys. The steamboat took three hours to reach Macao, was clean and good, and Captain Clarke was most entertaining. There were two English ladies on board an elderly one and a young and pretty one. In the dining-saloon hung cutlasses and loaded guns for the use of the passengers should the Chinese attempt anything, and Chinese sailors, armed with sword, pistol, and gun, stood on guard19
