So it turned out to be midnight before we reached Beachy Head and
could discern the lights of Hastings shining in the distance. As we
drew near to our anchorage we could see two boats coming swiftly
towards us from the shore. The crews were members of the Royal Naval
Artillery Volunteers, and as they came alongside they raised a shout
of welcome. Hastings had been expecting us all the afternoon, and late
as was the hour, 1.30 a.m., we were immediately surrounded by a fleet
of boats, and many willing hands seized our heterogeneous cargo and
multitudinous packages, and before daylight all had been safely landed
on the pier. We committed ourselves to the care of the R.N.A.V., and
landed in their boats, and at 4.30, proceeding to the Queen's Hotel,
we had a joyous meeting with T.A.B. and Maud.
[Illustration: Our Welcome back off Hastings.]
How can I describe the warm greetings that met us everywhere, or the
crowd that surrounded us, not only when we landed, but as we came out
of church; how, along the whole ten miles from Hastings to Battle,
people were standing by the roadside and at their cottage doors to
welcome us; how the Battle bell-ringers never stopped ringing except
during service time; or how the warmest of welcomes ended our
delightful year of travel and made us feel we were home at last, with
thankful hearts for the providential care which had watched over us
whithersoever we roamed?
I travell'd among unknown men,
In lands beyond the sea,
Nor, England! did I know till then
What love I bore to thee.
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