ARRIVAL OF THE SQUADRON. 
24 
noticing the introduction by the ramrod-like bow usual 
on such occasions, he gave an aftected start, and, in the 
drawling tone cultivated by many would-be high-bred 
Englishmen, observed, — “ Ar-ar-rea-l-ly, but— ar-r, in fact, 
ar-r — I didn’t come — ar-r — to inquire after the health.” 
After which he indulged in a few quite commonplace 
remarks, drank a glass of wine, and was bowed over the 
side. The doctor subsequently remarked, in a confidential 
manner, that he never in his life felt more like doing any 
thing than, at that moment, like knocking his confounded 
“ar-r-s” down his cockney throat: nevertheless, he con- 
trolled himself, and left the cabin in a high state of dis- 
gust with England, the English, and with Lieutenant 
Paget, R.N., in particular. 
Two days after our arrival, the Vincennes hove in sight, 
came in to her anchorage very prettily, and made signal 
for our captain to repair on board. Day after day they 
now dropped in ; first the little Cooper, then the Por- 
poise, and, finally, the old John Hancock. On the 20th 
of September we were again together. 
Then it was that we discovered the dilapidated condi- 
tion' of our own vessel ; while the Vincennes, Porpoise, 
and Hancock were each reported as being in want of 
repairs. We commenced; and I think, before the last bill 
was sent in, the repairs of the “squadron” must have 
ranged as high as §20,000, and we just from the out- 
fitting care of the navy-yards of New York and Norfolk. 
While all this work was going on, and we necessarily 
detained in our sheltered anchorage. Purser Ritchie and 
myself one day took it into our heads to take a tramp 
over the hills in search of some unfortunate antelope, 
