The remainder of the Sardinian army had now arrived. The disembarkation kept the harbour in a constant bustle, morning, noon, and night. It was, in fact, a real maritime bivouac, and our vessel very much resembled the famed metropolis from which it takes its name. During the night a strong bridge was built over it, communicating with the shore on the one side, and one of the Sardinian ships, which had been towed alongside, on the other. This was made for the purpose of landing men and horses. At five in the morning I was up and on deck, as from the noise it was impossible to sleep. The first person on board was Admiral Boxer, as busy as could be, giving his orders. On seeing me, he inquired about Miss Nightingale. “What a good job,” said he, “they were able to remove her from here!” “You are right, admiral. I perceive you are about to put the troops from one of the vessels on shore.” “From one, say you? I am landing the whole of the Sardinian army, and some of our own troops besides.” “At any rate, I think this is one of the greatest curiosities of the Crimean war.” “Why?” asked the admiral, talking to twenty others at the time. “Why, admiral, pray who would have thought of seeing while in the Crimea a Sardinian army cross London Bridge?” “Ha! ha! ha! true enough; that’s not bad; singular things are seen and done in time of war. What do you think of their soldiers, Monsieur Soyer?” “Fine fellows!” “They are fine fellows. But I wish they spoke English--we should get on much quicker.” “I’ll speak to them for you, if you like, admiral.” “Ah, to be sure, so you can.” I immediately set about acting as interpreter between the English admiral and the Sardinian captains. In his anxiety to get rid of them as quickly as possible, Admiral Boxer asked whether they had pretty much what they required; a question which brought about ten complainants on deck, who surrounded me. One had no hay, barley, or water for his horses. They all spoke at the same time, and made a hubbub which could only be feebly imitated at the Paris Stock Exchange. “What’s all this row about? This will never do,” said the admiral. “Pray don’t tell them who I am, or they will bother my life out.” “I have told them, and that’s why they are making such a row. I asked them, as you wished me, whether they had everything they wanted.” “I said pretty much what they wanted.” “I know you did, admiral, and so I told them; but they say they don’t know the meaning of that.” “Tell them they are fine fellows--fine fellows, and that there is a beautiful camp ready for them, where they will find everything they require, without any drawback. I will send lots of men to wait upon them directly; but they must get out of the harbour before night.” General della Marmora sent for the admiral; so he left me to settle the matter, which I did in a very few words.