The soldier, looking very hard at her, replied, “Well, sure enough, ma’am, it will make me sick just the same.” For all that he took the medicine, and seemed to feel very grateful. None but an eye-witness or a disinterested observer can judge of the effect produced by a female’s attention to the sick soldier. Far from home, he seems to hear the voice of her who nursed him in childhood--a mother or sister. He will listen to and receive advice, finding sudden relief from the cheering accents of a woman’s lips, while he would scarcely take the slightest notice of the kindest orderly’s attentions. The man was not aware that it was Miss Nightingale. A woman’s friendly voice had spoken to his heart, and he felt more composed. The sun darted his rays almost perpendicularly upon the deck of the beautiful ship, the _Robert Lowe_, which glided rather than floated over that inconstant ocean--the whimsical Mother Black Sea, called in French “La Mère Noire,” who safely bore her children upon her tranquil bosom in the morning, and at night rocked the cradle with such furious love, that she changed the smile of comfort to sickness and tears in the evening. The sails were furled, and the awning was now stretched amidships. About twelve o’clock all the soldiers, under command of Major Campbell, about six hundred in number, met upon deck; and divine service was read by the Major himself. Miss Nightingale, Mr. Bracebridge, myself, and all the officers on board, were present. Nothing recurs more vividly to my recollection than the impression made upon my mind by that religious ceremony, performed so solemnly, between heaven and the ocean. It appeared as though all were impressed with the sacred mission they were called upon to fulfil, and that every brave fellow present was saying his last prayer, and preparing himself in case of emergency, should it be his fate to succumb on the field of battle in the defence of his country, to appear with a free and pure conscience before his Creator, in whose hands alone are the issues of life and death. Many of those poor fellows afterwards paid that tribute to their country. Such are the chances of war. This ceremony, though not performed by a clergyman, had such an effect upon my mind, that I shall never forget it. The remainder of the afternoon was passed on deck, and as it was a day of rest and delightful weather, we were favoured with the company of the ladies, including that of Miss Nightingale.