PAYMASTER BULLEN AND HIS WONDERFUL TUB
Though Donald had not the art to rid himself of an undesirable
travelling-companion, Fate, in the shape of a tin bath-tub, interposed
in his behalf. This tub was the little paymaster's pride and delight,
for in a measure it was his own invention. Having had it constructed
in England especially for use in America, he had become so enamored of
it that by this time he would sooner have parted with any other
possession. It was a round affair, about three feet in diameter, had a
high back, was painted green on the outside and white within. Here its
resemblance to ordinary bath-tubs ended, and its individuality became
apparent. To begin with, it was built with double sides about three
inches apart, and the space thus formed was divided by metallic
partitions into many compartments, of different sizes, all of which
were provided with close-fitting, water-tight lids. These could only
be opened by the pressing of a cleverly concealed spring. Not only did
this hollow and cellular construction give great buoyancy to the tub,
adapting it for use as a life preserver, but the compartments afforded
safe storage room for a number of toilet articles, such as are
generally difficult to obtain in the wilderness. For the present trip,
the paymaster had laid in a liberal supply of scented soap, tooth
powder, perfumery, pomades, cosmetics, brushes, shaving-utensils, and
innumerable other adjuncts of a dandy's dressing-table; for in spite of
his tendency toward stoutness and his uncertain age, Paymaster Bullen
was emphatically a dandy, with an ambition to be considered a beau.
Equally interesting with the body of this unique tub was its high back.
At the touch of a spring a small panel on the inside slid to one side,
disclosing a mirror. By the pressing of two other springs, one on each
side, the entire back could be tilted to the angle most comfortable for
repose, if one happened to be sitting in the body of the tub. The back
was covered, as though for protection, by a sheet of canvas. This
could be drawn up, half of it pulled forward over the top, like a hood
or canopy. Held in this position by an ingenious arrangement of
umbrella ribs, it formed a protection against sun or rain. On the
whole, Paymaster Bullen's bathtub was a remarkable institution, and one
to which he was so attached that he would on no account undertake a
journey on which it might not accompany him.
"How could I take my regular morning bath without it? or how could I
transport the necessities of my toilet so safely and conveniently in
any other way?" were to him unanswerable arguments in its favor.
It was useless to reply that a tub might be dispensed with in a country
abounding in streams and lakes, or that the niceties of the toilet were
not always considered in the wilderness.
He would answer, that while the crude bathing facilities afforded by
nature might suffice for the primitive requirements of the untutored
savage, a tub was a necessity to which he, as a refined product of
civilization, had always been accustomed, and did not propose to
forego. Also that to the toilet of an officer and a gentleman certain
well-recognized adjuncts were as indispensable in the wilderness as in
the town.
He spent so much of his leisure sitting or reclining in his beloved
tub, gloating over its many admirable points and reflecting upon its
possibilities, that his brother officers rarely spoke of him by any
other name than that of "Diogenes."
Donald Hester of course knew nothing of the wonderful tub, nor of
another whim of the paymaster's, which was that an officer should never
appear in public save in uniform. Consequently, when the little man
approached the canoe landing, resplendent in scarlet and gold, and
followed by his valet staggering beneath the weight of the tub, Donald
turned to Ensign Christie for an explanation of the phenomenon, while
the latter expressed his feelings by a prolonged whistle. Two canoes
and several Indian canoemen had been provided by Sir William for the
transportation of the party. Christie had exchanged his uniform for a
flannel shirt, gray breeches, leggings, and moccasins, and except for
Mr. Bullen's presence everything was in readiness for departure.
"Hello, Bullen! you surely do not intend to traverse the wilderness in
full fig.?" cried Sir William, who had come down to speed his guests.
"You seem to forget that much of your way may traverse the country of
an enemy, for whose rifles your gorgeousness would offer a bright and
shining mark."
"Nor to take your man with you. Of course, Bullen, you don't intend to
do that?" remonstrated Christie.
"If that is your luggage, Mr. Bullen," added Donald, indicating the tub
with a gesture, "I'm afraid it must be left behind, or we shall never
overtake Cuyler."
"Sir William," retorted the paymaster with all the dignity he could
assume, "I always travel in uniform. Being honored with the wearing of
His Majesty's livery, I cannot conceive why it should not be displayed
before his enemies as well as to his friends.--Mr. Christie: never
having journeyed without an attendant, I do not now propose to attempt
the experiment.--Mr. Hester: I have very grave duties to perform at
Detroit, and feel it to be of importance to produce an impression there
from the very first. Therefore I find it necessary to take with me on
this journey certain articles that a less conscientious person might
possibly leave behind."
"But, sir, this is a matter of life or death, and we dare not allow
anything to delay us," said Donald, earnestly.
"Very well, sir, proceed on your journey without regard to me, and I
will follow in such fashion as seems to me best. It may prove that I
shall not be so very far behind when your destination is reached. At
any rate, I assure you that I am thoroughly capable of conducting my
own movements."
"Oh come, Bullen! Act sensibly, and leave all useless lumber behind,"
urged Ensign Christie.
"Mr. Christie, I always act sensibly, according to my own definition of
the word, and I absolutely refuse to leave my tub behind," replied the
paymaster, in a frigid tone.
"Gentlemen, I cannot delay another moment," cried Donald, who was in a
fever of impatience. "With your permission, Sir William, Mr. Christie
and I will take the smaller of these canoes, leaving the other, with
all the Indians, for Mr. Bullen's service."
"Go ahead, my boy; you are right. Good-bye, and God bless you!"
answered the general, heartily. So in another minute Donald and his
newly acquired friend had set forth on their long journey. Both
wielded paddles, for Ensign Christie had already seen enough of service
in America to have gained a fair degree of skill in canoeing.
For hours these two paddled, poled, and tracked their way against the
swift current of the Mohawk, until utter darkness barred their further
progress. Then they made a blind landing, groped about for a few
sticks, kindled a small fire over which to make a pot of tea, and flung
themselves down for a few hours of sleep on the bare ground. The next
morning they were up, had eaten breakfast, and were off by daybreak.
Before dark of that day they had crossed the portage, and were floating
with the current of Wood creek. Only pausing at the blockhouse to
deliver a despatch from Sir William, they crossed Oneida lake in
darkness, and spent the night at Fort Brewerton. The following night
found them well past Oswego and camped on the shore of Lake Ontario.
[Illustration: "These two paddled their way against the swift current
of the Mohawk."]
In all this ceaseless labor, Ensign Christie proved of the greatest
assistance, and heartily commended himself to his companion by his
unflagging cheerfulness. He was always ready to jump overboard, at the
first intimation that such a move was necessary, to use a push-pole or
paddle, gather wood, or to perform any service that lay within his
power. Often, as the young men made their swift way along the south
shore of the great lake, did they talk of Paymaster Bullen and wonder
what had become of him. Donald was inclined to believe that he had
either returned to New York, or still remained where they had left him;
but Christie only smiled, and said Bullen was such a queer fish that
there was no predicting what he might or might not do.
On the evening of the third day after leaving Oswego, shortly before
sunset, and aided by a strong breeze blowing up the lake, they ran
alongside the canoe landing at Fort Niagara. Major Wilkins, the
commandant, and several of his officers met them as they stepped from
their craft, when a rapid exchange of introductions and news was at
once begun.
Suddenly some one exclaimed, "What boat is that following so close
after you?" and, looking in the direction indicated, all saw a small
craft driven at a high rate of speed by both sail and paddle, rapidly
approaching the landing.
No one could imagine who it was, but many conjectures were hazarded,
until the canoe drew near enough for its occupants to be distinguished.
Then Ensign Christie shouted with unfeigned amazement:
"By Jove! It's old Bullen himself!"