[5] The Very Voice That Ye-Hoed; The Hoarse Challenge Of The
Sentinels On The Rock; The Busy Hum Of The Town - Made Delicious Music
To My Ear; And I Could Have Stood And Leaned Over The Bulwark For
Hours, To Gaze At The Scene.
I own no higher interest invested the
picture - for I was ignorant of Wolfe.
I had never heard of Montcalm -
the plains of "Abraham" were to me but grassy slopes, and "nothing
more." It was the life and stir, - the tide of that human ocean, on
which I longed myself to be a swimmer - these were what charmed me. Nor
was the deck of the old "Hampden" inactive all the while, although
seldom attracting much of my notice: soldiers were mustering,
knapsacks packing, rolls calling, belts buffing, and coats brushing on
all sides; men grumbling, sergeants cursing; officers swearing; half-
dressed invalids popping up their heads out of hatchways, answering to
wrong names, and doctors ordering them down again with many an
anathema: soldiers in the way of sailors, and sailors always hauling
at something that interfered with the inspection-drill: every one in
the wrong place, and each cursing his neighbour for stupidity. At last
the shore-boats boarded us, as if our confusion wanted anything to
increase it. Red-faced harbour-masters shook hands with the skipper
and pilot, and disappeared into the "round-house" to discuss grog and
the gales. Officers from the garrison came out to welcome their
friends - for it was the second battalion we had on board of a regiment
whose first had been some years in Canada; - and then what a rush of
inquiries were exchanged.
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