A Little Squat
Boat, Rowed By Three Ragged Gallegos, Came Bouncing Up To The Ship.
Into This Mr. Bundy And
Her Majesty's Royal mail embarked with much
majesty; and in the twinkling of an eye, the Royal standard of
England,
About the size of a pocket-handkerchief, - and at the bows
of the boat, the man-of-war's pennant, being a strip of bunting
considerably under the value of a farthing, - streamed out.
"They know that flag, sir," said the good-natured old tar, quite
solemnly, in the evening afterwards: "they respect it, sir." The
authority of Her Majesty's lieutenant on board the steamer is
stated to be so tremendous, that he may order it to stop, to move,
to go larboard, starboard, or what you will; and the captain dare
only disobey him suo periculo.
It was agreed that a party of us should land for half-an-hour, and
taste real Spanish chocolate on Spanish ground. We followed
Lieutenant Bundy, but humbly in the providor's boat; that officer
going on shore to purchase fresh eggs, milk for tea (in place of
the slimy substitute of whipped yolk of egg which we had been using
for our morning and evening meals), and, if possible, oysters, for
which it is said the rocks of Vigo are famous.
It was low tide, and the boat could not get up to the dry shore.
Hence it was necessary to take advantage of the offers of sundry
gallegos, who rushed barelegged into the water, to land on their
shoulders.
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