Forming upon the Place outside, they started off on the tour of the town, followed by most of the populace; and the great square became deserted. For the next hour it was very pretty to see them, as, at some break in the streets or sudden turn, the golden lamps and torches came into sight in the distance, winding in and out, and moving slowly on, followed by the roll of drums and the shouting crowds.
Meanwhile, we strolled up and down the quay, close beside the edge of the water, waiting for the electric light which had been promised from the deck of the Agincourt, and which was our national quota contributed to the night's amusement. All afternoon the English nation had been "doing the civil" in honour of the occasion, which was said to be the first on which a British man-of-war had appeared upon the Corsican coasts out of compliment, and not for business. Tribes of residents had visited the ship, and been introduced to the captain's cabin, where fraternity had been sworn between French and English, and sealed with champagne.
It was a beautiful evening for the electric light; calm and still, and so dark, that it was with some difficulty we managed to escape falling over the unprotected sides of the quay, and thus meeting a watery grave.
At first it burnt simply as a bright star upon the deck of the Agincourt; then, moving swiftly round, it turned a stream of light, clearer than day, upon the distant horizon, lighting up sailing boats upon the far-off line; then again, piercing the utter darkness to one side, it suddenly brought a fishing smack, at anchor in the harbour a furlong or so off, into closest contiguity, showing every rope upon its yards, every man on deck, in clearest detail.
Then, with mysterious, stealthy movement, flitting on, it turned abruptly towards the quay, and a shout of delight broke from the spectators, as the houses round shone in the glare of day, and the faces of the crowd stood out for a few minutes in unnatural clearness.
There was something appallingly, horribly perfect about the management of the light; and one felt almost sorry for the foe whose little night manœuvres would be rendered entirely hopeless by such an invention.
The light played about for more than an hour, and then faded slowly away; and we returned to our hotel while still the crowds were shouting and amusing themselves, but with some of the hanging lanterns already beginning to take fire in the deserted Cours Grandval, and drop unnoticed on to the darkening pathway.
The nest day, Monday, this same Cours was to be the scene of another wild excitement.
The horse races are always held up this road, which is hard and not too good, and terminates in a steep hill.
Every evening, about six o'clock, for some weeks, the practising for these races had been going on; and consisted generally of four or five raw-boned horses with long striding paces, ridden by rather ragged jockeys, sans saddle, and with reins held well up in the air.