“I tell you what, Monsieur Soyer, I began to think it was a great deal out of the way. You have only one life, like the rest of us, and you cannot be spared by us, not even to go to the Russians.” P. M. started on his mission to Dr. Hadley, and I returned to the _London_, and wrote the receipt for the composition of the preserved vegetables, which I had promised to Commissary Filder, and took it over myself. On my way I met about a score of friends, or at all events persons who knew me, and had heard the false report. I was informed that Admiral Boxer was much put out about my absence, and at not receiving any tidings about me. To my great astonishment, I met my secretary on foot, and at once inquired what he had done with the pony, making sure that he had lost it, or that he had been thrown, and the animal had run away, as it was a very mettlesome little creature. “It is nothing of the kind; it was worse. The brute is marked ‘L. R., head-quarters;’ and before I reached Dr. Hadley’s house, a policeman stopped me and took it away, saying it had been stolen from Monsieur Soyer; and there was a regular row at head-quarters about it. The fellow wanted to take me up, though I told him I was your secretary. And mind you, had it not been for an officer--a friend of yours, who knew me--having dined with us on board the _Robert Lowe_, I really cannot tell how I should have managed.” “Where is the pony now?” “God knows. Perhaps that fellow has stolen it.” “I hope not. Describe the man. Who was he?” “A soldier, I believe; but let us go to the Commandant’s, and inquire, for I think he took the pony to the stable-yard.” Upon making inquiries, we heard the animal had been sent direct to head-quarters. Thus terminated the adventures connected with my first interview with the good and benevolent Mrs. Seacole, whom I have ever since christened La Mère Noire, although she has a fair daughter. Before the evening was over I had visited the various hospitals, inspected a fresh arrival of provisions--particularly fresh vegetables, which were sent from Constantinople weekly, for the use of the hospitals and camp. These often arrived in a bad state, owing to the heat of the weather, which was intense. The difficulty of transport and distribution throughout the camps rendered the dry composition I had submitted to the Commissariat much preferable, more especially for issue to the troops in camp. The great event during my unexpected and adventurous absence was the arrival of Lord Ward in his beautiful steamer, the _London_, filled with all kinds of provisions, to be gratuitously distributed among the soldiers, more as a luxury than a necessity. Provisions were not at this time so scarce as they had been--the soldiers were receiving ample rations. Facility and method in the cooking was what was most required. THE 24TH OF MAY,--THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY IN THE HARBOUR OF BALAKLAVA.