“But we must say nothing to her about it, or she may refuse to make herself and boy comfortable at our expense, and insist upon a different arrangement,” said the General.
So Dick wrote again to the agent, enclosing a draft upon a New York banker to pay for the state-rooms.
And lively preparations were commenced for the voyage.
Drusilla, who never in her life had been a hundred miles from home, was delighted with the prospect of crossing the ocean and traveling in distant countries.
Not only was her mind all alert with the anticipations of intellectual pleasures, but her heart was cheered with the hope of being nearer to Alexander.
It was even possible that she might see him, or that he might see her little Leonard. And so Drusilla went enthusiastically to work with her preparations.
But the whole party made the usual mistake of inexperienced voyagers—they encumbered themselves with an unnecessary amount of luggage.
As if they were going beyond the bounds of civilization to live forever away from the possibility of purchasing the comforts or even the necessaries of life, they packed clothing by the twelve dozens, and filled many great trunks.
As if the steamer had no store-room or pantry, they took hampers of canned meats and fruits and jars of jellies and preserves.
And as if there were no surgeon in the staff of officers, they took a “doctor’s book” and a “physic box,” to say nothing of boxes of lemons, bottles of peppermint cordial and cases of soda powders as preventives of sea-sickness, or of books, magazines, checkers, chessmen, and musical instruments as preventives of ennui.