"I beheld the pageants, splendid,
That adorned those days of old:
Stately dames like queens attended,
Knights who bore the Fleece of Gold,"—
and something in the association of the living lines with the real belfry of Bruges before them, that the impression was one to be remembered for years.
After a hasty walk through a couple of the ancient streets of the city, the students returned to the railroad station, and the train started for Brussels, a ride of about two hours from Bruges. It was half past nine when they arrived at the capital of Belgium. The party were greeted by Mr. Fluxion, who had been sent direct from Antwerp to make arrangements for their stay over night. Captain Kendall, his officers and crew, were sent to the Hôtel Royal in the Rue Fossé aux Loups. It was a small hotel, but very nice and comfortable. Mr. Molenschot, the proprietor, spoke English, but he appeared to be the only person in the house who could do so. He was very polite and attentive to the students, and spoke familiarly and pleasantly to them about "my hotel."
Mr. Fluxion himself had a faculty for keeping a hotel, and understood precisely what tired travellers wanted when they came in late in the evening; and he had ordered, in addition to the thé complet, the bif-stek and pomme de terre. The boys were as hungry as wolves, and the solid part of the entertainment was very inviting. Each dish of beefsteak was covered over with nicely browned fried potatoes. In a few moments there was hardly a vestige of the feast remaining on the table.
The Young America's ship's company were quartered at the Hôtel de l'Univers, and the Hôtel de Suède, so that the party was separated; and Paul was rather glad of it, because there were some belonging to the ship who were not influenced by the motives which prevailed in the Josephine. He could control his crew, even without the aid of Mr. Fluxion, who, with several of the professors also lodged at the Royal.
They were a jolly party at the supper table; and as none of the waiters spoke a word of English, there was a great deal of fun made in giving their orders; but everybody was remarkably good-natured, including the waiters themselves.
"Waiter," called Lynch, who, as a general rule, was not guilty of knowing much about any of his studies, "bring me the bur."
The servant took no notice of him.
"Call him a garçon" said Grossbeck.
"Garçon!" shouted Lynch.