Truth to tell, the Russian business seems already
forgotten, except by my stout old Captain on the 'Consternation,' or
my Uncle. The strenuous Sir John has had me haled across the ocean
merely to give testimony, lasting about thirty-five minutes, when with
a little patience he might have waited till the 'Consternation'
herself arrived, or else have cabled for us to try the gun at Bar
Harbor. I suppose, however, that after my unfortunate contretemps with
Russia our government was afraid I'd chip a corner off the United
States, and that they'd have to pay for it. So perhaps after all it
was greater economy to bring me across on the liner 'Enthusiana.'
"By the way, I learned yesterday that the 'Consternation' has been
ordered home, and so I expect to see Jack Lamont before many days are
past. The ship will be paid off at Portsmouth, and then I suppose he
and I will have our freedom for six months. I am rather looking
forward to Jack's cooking me some weird but tasteful Russian dishes
when we reach his blacksmith's shop in St. Petersburg. If I get on in
Russia as I hope and expect, I shall spend the rest of my leave over
in the States. I saw very little indeed of that great country, and am
extremely anxious to see more. When one is on duty aboard ship one can
only take very short excursions ashore. I should like to visit
Niagara. It seems ridiculous that one should have been all along the
American coast from Canada to New York, and never have got far enough
inland to view the great Falls.
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