Page images
PDF
EPUB

morning was calm, with a clear, hot sun, and when we reached the moor, which was on steep hillside, he directed me to follow the path below, and whenever I came to a burn, to creep cautiously up its side. "If you do this quietly and with care," said he, "you will be sure to come upon grouse. Get, if you can, right and left shots, and return at once to the path you started from."

This I did with great success, over and over again, with the result that, for the time of year, an excellent bag was quickly made, the number of birds being three or four times in excess of what I had the least right to anticipate.

This sport was indulged in until it was time. to go to the rendezvous arranged with Mr. Brooks, who was greatly astonished at my good luck. His had been the very reverse, for when he reached the hill for his stalk it was enveloped in heavy mist, and he had come away without raising his rifle.

I never forgot the lesson the gillie taught me, and often since, when on the moors on a hot, sunny, calm morning, I have utilised my experi

ence.

With great regret I ended my visit to Drummond Castle-a visit which, for the warmth of its welcome and the many kindnesses received host and his two charming daughters, I

from my
shall ever gratefully remember.

CHAPTER XIX.

The Sultan of Turkey at Spithead, 1867: A Stormy Day-How Captain Tryon enabled me to Photograph the Fleet.

ON July 17th, 1867, the Sultan of Turkey visited England, and was duly fêted and entertained, one important function being a grand review of the fleet by the Queen at Spithead.

Once again I received a commission from the Admiralty, the desire of the Board being to have photographic records of the ceremony. With my experience of the visit of the French fleet, as previously related, I this time sought to make arrangements with the officials such as would secure me against failure; and I really had a gunboat allotted to me.

I arrived at Portsmouth the day before the review, and, after inquiries, found my ship and arranged to be on board early the following morning. In the meantime I met with Captain

Tryon-now Admiral Sir George Tryon-who told me that he knew of the orders I had received, and volunteered to accompany me. I was but too pleased, and on the next day he met me at the time arranged, and was good enough to put on board a capital lunch.

As soon as we started from our moorings I asked Captain Tryon to take command of the vessel, which, much to my advantage as it turned out, he did.

His first suggestion was that we should steam to Cowes for orders. This we did, pulling up within hailing distance of the Royal Yacht-the Victoria and Albert-then at anchor off the Osborne Pier. Captain Tryon undertook to do that which was necessary; and, hailing a sentry, asked for the commander.

Prince Leiningen being in command, came to her stern, and after Captain Tryon's explanation, gave us orders to follow the yacht during the review.

What a day it was! it was blowing a gale, accompanied by heavy rain and hail. One of the Queen's yachts had gone to Portsmouth to receive and convey the Sultan to Cowes; and when we

from the gunboat were able to make her out, I thought it would be a good opportunity to test the photographic conditions of the day.

So looking down the hold, at the bottom of which my tent was fixed, in charge of a German assistant, I called to him to prepare and bring me a plate. There came, in weak tones, an answer, "I can't." I went down, and there was my poor German absolutely incapacitated. I therefore prepared the plate myself and exposed it as the yacht with the Sultan passed us, only to find that the result was the very deadest of failures.

I communicated this to Captain Tryon, and told him that, so far as my work was concerned, failure for the rest of the day was inevitable.

In a short time the Victoria and Albert left her moorings with the Queen and Sultan on board, and steamed towards the fleet; and, in accordance with our orders, we followed in her wake.

In spite of most unfavourable weather it was a grand and imposing sight. The fleet was moored in two lines, between which the Victoria and Albert passed, our gunboat following. I was,

« PreviousContinue »