After viewing, in all its parts, this stupendous work, we were shown through the not less ingenious bleaching-mills of Mr. Hollins; and then, in the kindest manner, conducted under his hospitable roof, where his charming lady and lovely little ones united in their efforts to make us welcome and happy. The cloth was spread, and the luxuries of their house all heaped upon the table,--the substantials of life, and then its spices. It seemed cruel to see these poor fellows devouring the one, and rejecting the other--denying and denied the luxuries that _we_ could not refuse, when our friends proposed to drink to our healths and our happiness. They were happy, however, and, good fellows, enjoyed what they partook, and we returned, wishing our kind-hearted friends, Mr. Hollins and his lady, many, many happy days. CHAPTER XII. Indians on the housetops--Great alarm--Curious excitement--People proposing to "take them" with ropes--Railway to London--The "Iron-horse"--"The Iron-horse (locomotive) stops to drink"--Arrive in London--Alarm of the landlady--Visit from the Hon. Mr. Murray--Interview with His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge--Old Chief's speech--War-dance--The Duke gives them ten sovereigns and ten pounds of tobacco--Indians ride about the city in an "omnibus and four"--Remarks on what they saw--The smoke--"Prairies on fire"--Lascars sweeping the streets--Visit from the Reverend Mr. S.--Impatience to see the Queen--Great medicine-feast to gain Her Majesty's consent--Curious ceremony--Hon. Mr. Murray's letter comes in--The Queen's appointment to see them--Great rejoicing. On our return from Stockport we found two reverend gentlemen, who had been waiting nearly all day for an interview with the Indians (which had been appointed, but forgotten), to talk upon the subject of religion. They had come several miles, and seemed somewhat vexed, as night was near approaching, and the old chief told them that they were going to London in a few days, and should be very busy in the meantime; and again, that they were expecting to see the Queen, and would rather wait until after they had seen her Majesty. They had learned, also, that London was the _great city_ of England, and thought that anything of that kind had better be deferred until they were in London, and the subject was therefore postponed. The exhibitions at night were progressing much as I have above described--the hall invariably full, and the Indians, as well as the public, had their own amusement in the room, and also amusing themes for conversation after retiring to their own quarters. In the midst of our success and of their amusement and enjoyment, an occurrence took place that was near getting us into difficulty, as it raised a great excitement in the neighbourhood and no little alarm to many old women and little children.