Page:Dramatic Moments in American Diplomacy (1918).djvu/205

Rh It soon became evident that the Empress had played a strong hand. Not only had she turned against the West one of its own most powerful orators, and one whose ringing demands for fair play in the King's English could not be avoided, but she had staged a blazing advertisement of her kingdom and its proposition. As a publicity campaign it eclipsed everything known to date, and made Barnum look like an amateur.

To give the proper dramatic and Homeric touch to the picture the party was set upon by highwaymen on the way to the coast. The ubiquitous British gunboat having saved the situation, all hands and an exhibit of curiosities embarked for California and the great adventure.

At sight of the Golden Gate and the familiar shores of home it is said that Burlingame's heart failed him. He reflected upon the shifting sands and the masquerade fury of American politics, known of old, and began to dread the possible indignation and brick-bats of a con-