Mr.Tufton declined to join the party, under the plea that, in the first place, he was busy; and in the second, that he feared there would be an emotional display.

He sent, however, his head clerk with them, to escort the ladies on their return from the docks.
The Lizzie Anderson was a fine ship, of the largest size, and she was almost as clean and trim as a man of war.

She carried twelve cannon, two of them thirty-two pounders, which were in those days considered large pieces of ordnance.

All the ships of the Company, and, indeed, all ocean-going merchantmen of the day, were armed, as the sea swarmed with privateers, and the black flag of the pirates was still occasionally to be seen.
The girls were delighted with all they saw, as, indeed, was Charlie; for accustomed, as they were, only to the coasting vessels which frequented the port of Yarmouth, this floating castle appeared to them a vessel of stupendous size and power.
This was Charlie's first visit, also, to the ship, for his uncle had told him that all directions had been given, that the trunks with the things necessary for the voyage would be found in his cabin, at the time of starting, and the rest of the luggage in the hold.

Everything was in order, and Charlie found that his cabin companion was a doctor in the service, returning to Madras.