We all laughed; and I then parted, quite pleased with Sally’s modesty. Sally richly deserves the title of the Dark, instead of Fair, Maid of the Eastern War.
On my return to the hospital, I found Miss Nightingale had arrived, accompanied by the chaplain, Mr. Hone, who informed me that she could not possibly go through the camp that day. As I was thus disengaged, I called upon Mrs. Stuart, in order to inquire whether she required anything in my department. To my astonishment, she informed me that a field-stove, of which she was greatly in want to heat water for the baths, had not arrived. As I had sent it with the others, which had reached their destination, I promised to inquire about it at once, and sent my engineer, Mr. Phillips, to see after it. It was, however, three days before it was found. I relate this fact out of hundreds which occurred during the campaign, to show the mishaps of so difficult an undertaking. This I must repeat, that I was well supported by the authorities, and my demands were always granted. To Colonel Macmurdo, and Captains Evans and Power, I am greatly indebted for their never-ceasing courtesy.
In conversation with Miss Nightingale, I did not forget to mention Mrs. Seacole’s kind inquiries. She said with a smile—
“I should like to see her before she leaves, as I hear she has done a deal of good for the poor soldiers.”
“She has indeed, I assure you, and with the greatest disinterestedness. While I was there this morning, she was dressing a poor Land Transport Corps man, who had received a severe contusion on the head. In order to strengthen his courage for the process, as she said, she made him half a glass of strong brandy and water, not charging him anything for it; and I hear she has done this repeatedly.”
“I am sure she has done much good.”
I told Miss Nightingale that I had despatched Mr. Phillips in search of the missing stove; and, as our visit was postponed, I bade her adieu, requesting her to drop me a line in the Fourth Division at any time she might require my services.
That day I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Hall, who apprised me that the troops would shortly leave the Crimea, and the Sanatorium be closed. The Monastery was so already; and, as I had anticipated, the Land Transport Corps remained the last in the field. Passing to head-quarters, I found everything at a standstill. The Commander-in-chief was out, the precise order of the previous day seemed in abeyance, and General Wyndham was sitting to a celebrated Sardinian artist for his portrait. It was taken in his Redan dress, which was freed from the blood and dust of that day, as I think very injudiciously, which caused me to ask if it was the same; the general replied that it was. I believe the picture was for the King of Sardinia, to be added to his Majesty’s collection of the heroes of the Crimea.
Captain Ponsonby was occupied in his open-air photographic studio, taking portraits of everybody who came in his way, amongst them myself. Captain Hall was herborizing in his petite chambre upon some salad cress and cheroots. Colonel Blane was very busy writing and giving orders. Major Curzon and others of the Staff were very seriously occupied lunching. In the kitchen, the stoves were cooling, and all the cooks out. At the Post-office and Telegraph all seemed still. The printing press alone was slowly going.
Upon returning to the dining-room, I found only a few at lunch; several were smoking at the door-steps—in fact, compared with the day previous, the contrast was so great, that it appeared like a holiday after a week’s hard labour. The conversation turned upon the grandeur of the review, and the success of the entertainment, which seemed to have given great satisfaction to all.