They had seen him comfortably placed in
the boat, and when it had put off, he and Niemcivitz, uncapped,
extended their handkerchiefs, fluttering in the breeze, to them and
the other bystanders, as the little sail gave bosom to the wind, and
the farewell of this salution was answered with the warm and brave-
hearted cheers of old British custom, and the waving of hats, which
propitious sounds echoed back from cliff to cliff of the superb St.
Vincent rocks that rampart the keys of the Bristol Avon.
All along the river, as the bark proceeded down, it was met, when
within sight of any of the numerous merchant villas that adorned its
banks, by pretty pleasure-skiffs, bringing votive presents of fruits
and flowers to the brave voyagers on board. And then, while the
wounded and fatigued veteran, as he lay on his pallet on the deck,
was only able to bow his head with a gracious accepting smile to the
respectful messengers, Niemcivitz stood at the prow, his then bright
locks dallying with the sweet zephyrs from the gardened shores, and
spoke the general's and his own heartfelt thanks, in a language of
poetry that best accorded with his own glowing and his chiefs'
gallant feelings, and the generous _benedicite_ of the fair
donators.
Onward the little vessel sped, until it reached the American ship
afloat in King's Road, to convey its two noble passengers to the new
republic, just established in the western hemisphere.
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