Led on by Dick, pressing through crowds of people and climbing over piles of merchandise, and passing over decks of other boats, our party at last boarded their steamer, the “Hurona.”
Picking his way among coils of ropes and chains, and folds of canvas and heaps of coal, Dick went up to an officer on duty on the deck, and showing his tickets requested to see the rooms engaged by his party.
The officer politely acquiesced, called a steward, and directed him to show the gentleman and his friends to the first cabin.
The man obeyed, and led our party down to the elegantly furnished floating drawing-room of the steamer.
“This is much finer than anything we ever saw on our rivers and bays,” said Anna, as she glanced around upon the velvet carpets, satin damask curtains, heavily gilded cornices, cheval mirrors, and all the showy appointments of the place.
“This is number three, if you please, sir,” said the steward, opening the ground glass gilded door of a state-room on their right.
“Ah! yes; this is the place in which you will have to go to housekeeping for two weeks,” said the General, turning with a smile to Drusilla.
It was a clean, cozy den, with an upper and a lower berth, and a sofa, wash-stand, shelves and drawers, and all that was required for convenience.
“Do you think you will be comfortable here?” inquired the General.
“I shall be very comfortable. This is the largest state-room I ever saw,” said Drusilla, glancing around approvingly, although she was too inexperienced to know that this was indeed one of the very best positions in the ship.