Page:Eekhoud - The New Carthage.djvu/127

Rh of The Gina. Some horses whinney thus with pleasure and pride when their master puts to the test their vigor and their speed. Then, brusquely, it traversed, like an impatient diver, the distance by which it was separated from the undulating water. Then with a crash it plunged into the Scheldt, whose foamy mass seemed to quiver and make way.

The noise of the boat having ceased, there arose from the crowd prolonged and insistent cheers. The band sent forth repeated and inspiring fanfares, the salvos began again, an immense tricolor was hoisted to the top of the largest mast. The crew of The Gina burst forth with cries of jubilation, and her sham passengers, convinced of their importance, waved hats and handkerchiefs.

Presently the ship strode into the middle of the river and turned with the dignity and easy grace of a triumpher. It was no longer the heavy, inert, crabbed and rather woeful mass that, a moment before, everyone had admired only in expectation; for a ship out of water has always the look of a wreck, but, as soon as it strikes its element, it is buoyed up and quickened into life. Its engines had been put in motion, its huge screws were churning the water, smoke was escaping from its great funnel. Its formidable organism was functioning, its muscles of steel and iron began to work, it groaned, it breathed, it lived. And the cheers were louder than ever. In the meanwhile, under the tent on the shore. Monsieur Fulton's manager had champagne and biscuits passed around. All the man drank, in high good humor, pretending a great joy, to the good fortune of The Gina. Everyone crowded about the beautiful godmother to express their good wishes for her godson. Gina carried her