"Yes, it is a long pull from the sea for a sailing vessel; but Antwerp is the only convenient port for visiting the greater part of Belgium. We are only a short distance from Brussels, Ghent, Malines, and Liége. I suppose we shall visit no other port in Belgium; indeed, there is no other convenient one, except Ostend."
"There is a whole fleet of British steamers at anchor opposite the town," said Paul, when the Josephine had gone a little farther.
"A great many merchant steamers come up the river. There are regular lines to London and Harwich. By the latter route you may leave Antwerp at four in the afternoon and be in London at nine the next morning, though the Ostend or Calais line is quicker and better."
"Those are large steamers," added Paul, as the squadron approached the fleet at anchor.
"Why, that's the Victoria and Albert!" exclaimed the doctor, pointing to the largest of the ships. "That is the yacht of the Queen of England."
"It is a pretty large yacht," replied Paul. "What are the other steamers?"
"They are the consorts of the yacht. The one that lies nearest to her is the Osborne, which was formerly the queen's state vessel. The others are merely a kind of guard of honor."
"Does it take five steamships to bring the queen over to Antwerp?" asked Paul, laughing.
"She must go in state when she goes," added the doctor. "The Victoria and Albert is a ship of twenty-four hundred tons. I hope we shall have an opportunity to go on board of her."
"I hope we shall; but that is hardly to be expected."