Sam still felt
feeble, and altho he could walk without a crutch, he now had a decided
limp which was sure to be permanent. They arrived at the port a few
days before the expected arrival of the Emperor, and the whole place
was overflowing with excitement. The Emperor, who had never seen a
skirmish, was notwithstanding considered the greatest general of his
time, and he was coming now to prove it before the world and
incidentally to wreak vengeance upon a people, one of whom had killed
his ambassador. The town was profusely decorated, the Tutonian garrison
was increased, and Count von Balderdash, the commander-in-chief,
himself took command. Six fleets were drawn up in the wide bay to await
the coming of the war-lord. It was announced that he would make his
entry at night, and that the hour of arrival had been timed for a dark
moonless night. This was asserted to be for the better display of
fireworks. Finally, one morning the Tutonian fleet of four or five
large vessels was sighted in the distance. They steamed slowly up and
down in the distance until night fell, and then, as their colored
electric lights, outlining the masts and funnels, became distinct in
the darkness, they began to approach. Each of the awaiting fleets was
distinguished with particular-colored lights, and they had taken their
position at a considerable distance from the shore, leaving a passage
near the ruined forts for the Emperor.
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