But here people got in and people got out, doors were opened at each end, and a draught of purifying air went through and revived the sufferers. Here still more cars were attached to the train, and more troops got on, and the crowd was even closer than before. Again our victims succumbed to the stupefying effects of the confined air, and slept heavily and unhealthily until they reached Washington. Day had dawned when the train crawled into the depot. The closely packed multitude got out, and filled all the space that was under cover. Mr. Force piloted his party through the crowd, and out into the open air. “I doubt if we can get a carriage,” said the squire, looking around. And his doubts were speedily and unpleasantly set at rest. He could not. If there had been any on the spot they had been seized by the first travelers, who had jumped off the train to secure a ride. “There is nothing for it but to walk to our hotel. Luckily, it is not very far off,” said Mr. Force. It was a fine morning, and dawn was reddening in the east as they left the depot and walked on toward Pennsylvania Avenue. They walked somewhat stiffly at first, from having been cramped up so long in the railway train, but the fresh air was reviving, and so they all felt more invigorated at every yard by their progress. They reached the hotel with fine appetites for breakfast. Mr. Force found, on inquiring at the office, that the house was full; there was not a room or a bed to spare; but the house could give them breakfast. So they waited in the public parlor until the breakfast hour came, when they went down into the saloon and took their morning meal. After breakfast Mr. Force went into the reading room to inquire about the _Argente_ and to look at the morning papers. The rest of his party waited for him at the foot of the stairs leading to the parlor. At last he came and said: “The _Argente_ has not yet reached the navy yard, nor has she been heard from since leaving New York yesterday morning, but she is expected to-day.” “And what are we to do next?” inquired Mrs. Force. “You and the girls will remain here, in the ladies’ parlor, and read the newspapers, or amuse yourselves in any way you please. Capt. Grandiere is going to see the secretary of the navy to report the capture of his clipper, the _Kitty_, by the _Argente_. Enderby will go out with me in search of lodgings. We must find some place to sleep in this overcrowded city. And we must get out of it as soon as we can. As soon, that is, as the _Argente_ business is settled and Leonidas gets his leave. We shall all return here in time for dinner.” With these words Mr. Force opened the door of the parlor and saw the ladies of his party in. It was yet so early that the parlor was quite empty. “I think you might venture to recline on some of these sofas and go to sleep,” said the squire, as he nodded good-morning and left the room, accompanied by the earl and the skipper.