With pleasure, said the man, if you will accompany
Stay, dont trouble yourself to show me the way, interrupted Miles; just name a house and the street, that will
No trouble at all, sir, said the man. I happen to be going in the direction of the docks, and know of excellent as well as cheap lodgings there.
Making no further objection, Miles followed his new friend into the street. For some time, the crowd being considerable and noisy, they walked in silence.
At the time we write of, Portsmouth was ringing with martial music and preparations for war.
At all times the red-coats and the blue-jackets are prominent in the streets of that seaport; for almost the whole of our army passes through it at one period or another, either in going to or returning from foreign parts. But at this time there was the additional bustle resulting from the Egyptian war. Exceptional activity prevailed in its yards, and hurry in its streets. Recruits, recently enlisted, flocked into it from all quarters, while on its jetties were frequently landed the sad fruits of war in the form of wounded men.
Have you ever been in Portsmouth before? asked the shabby-genteel man, on reaching a part of the town which was more open and less crowded.
Never. I had no idea it was so large and bustling, said Miles.
The crowding and bustling is largely increased just now, of course, in consequence of the war in Egypt, returned the man. Troops are constantly embarking, and others returning. It is a noble service! Men start in thousands from this port young, hearty, healthy, and full of spirit; they returnthose of them who return at allsickly, broken-down, and with no spirit at all except what they soon get poured into them by the publicans. Yes; commend me to the service of my Queen and country!
There was a sneering tone in the mans voice which fired his companions easily roused indignation.
Mind what you say about our Queen while in my company, said Miles sternly, stopping short and looking the man full in the face. I am a loyal subject, and will listen to nothing said in disparagement of the Queen or of her Majestys forces.
Bless you, sir, said the man quickly, Im a loyal subject myself, and wouldnt for the world say a word against her Majesty. No more would I disparage her troops; but, after all, the army aint perfect, you know. Even you must admit that, sir. With all its noble qualities theres room for improvement.
There was such an air of sincerityor at least of assumed humilityin the mans tone and manner that Miles felt it unjustifiable to retain his indignation. At the same time, he could not all at once repress it, and was hesitating whether to fling off from the man or to forgive him, when the sound of many voices, and of feet tramping in regular time, struck his ear and diverted his attention. Next moment the head of a regiment, accompanied by a crowd of juvenile admirers, swept round the corner of the street. At the same instant a forest of bayonets gleamed upon the youths vision, and a brass band burst with crashing grandeur upon his ear, sending a quiver of enthusiasm into the deepest recesses of his soul, and stirring the very marrow in his bones!
Miles stood entranced until the regiment had passed, and the martial strains were softened by distance; then he looked up and perceived that his shabby companion was regarding him with a peculiar smile.
I think youve a notion of being a soldier, he said, with a smile.
Where is that regiment going? asked Miles, instead of answering the question.
To barracks at present; to Egypt in a few days. Therell be more followin it before long.
It was a distracting as well as an exciting walk that Miles had through the town, for at every turn he passed couples or groups of soldiers, or sailors, or marines, and innumerable questions sprang into and jostled each other in his mind, while, at the same moment, his thoughts and feelings were busy with his present circumstances and future prospects. The distraction was increased by the remarks and comments of his guide, and he would fain have got rid of him; but good-feeling, as well as common-sense, forbade his casting him off without sufficient reason.
Presently he stopped, without very well knowing why, in front of a large imposing edifice. Looking up, he observed the words Soldiers Institute in large letters on the front of it.
What sort of an Institute is that? he asked.
Oh! its a miserable affair, where soldiers are taken in cheap, as they say, an done for, returned the shabby man hurriedly, as if the subject were distasteful to him. Come along with me and Ill show you places where soldiersay, and civilians toocan enjoy themselves like gentlemen, an get value for their money.
As he spoke, two fine-looking men issued from a small street close to them, and crossed the roadone a soldier of the line, the other a marine.
Here it is, Jack, exclaimed the soldier to his friend; Miss Sarah Robinsons Institoot, that youve heard so much about. Come an Ill show you where you can write your letter in peace
Thus much was overheard by Miles as they turned into a side-street, and entered what was obviously one of the poorer districts of the town.
Evidently that soldiers opinion does not agree with yours, remarked Miles, as they walked along.
Mores the pity! returned the shabby man, whose name he had informed his companion was Sloper. Now we are getting among places, you see, where theres a good deal of drinking going on.
I scarcely require to be told that, returned Miles, curtly; for he was beginning to feel his original dislike to Mister Sloper intensified.
It did not indeed require any better instructor than eyes and ears to inform our hero that the grog-shops around him were full, and that a large proportion of the shouting and swearing revellers inside were soldiers and seamen.
By this time it was growing dark, and most of the gin-palaces were beginning to send forth that glare of intense and warm light with which they so knowingly attract the human moths that constitute their prey.
Here we are, said Sloper, stopping in front of a public-house in a narrow street. This is one o the respectable lodgins. Most o the others are disreputable. Its not much of a neighbourhood, I admit.
It certainly is not very attractive, said Miles, hesitating.
You said you wanted a cheap one, returned Sloper, and you cant expect to have it cheap and fashionable, you know. Youve no occasion to be afraid. Come in.
The arguments of Mr Sloper might have failed to move Miles, but the idea of his being afraid to go anywhere was too much for him.
Go in, then, he said, firmly, and followed.
The room into which he was ushered was a moderately large public-house, with a bar and a number of tables round the room, at which many men and a few women were seated; some gambling, others singing or disputing, and all drinking and smoking. It is only right to say that Miles was shocked. Hitherto he had lived a quiet and comparatively innocent country life. He knew of such places chiefly from books or hearsay, or had gathered merely the superficial knowledge that comes through the opening of a swing-door. For the first time in his life he stood inside a low drinking-shop, breathing its polluted atmosphere and listening to its foul language. His first impulse was to retreat, but false shame, the knowledge that he had no friend in Portsmouth, or place to go to, that the state of his purse forbade his indulging in more suitable accommodation, and a certain pride of character which made him always determine to carry out what he had resolved to doall these considerations and facts combined to prevent his acting on the better impulse. He doggedly followed his guide to a small round table and sat down.