The morning dawned heavy with clouds, and soon there was a steady, pelting rain. The inn was astir early with travellers collecting themselves and their belongings and going down to the pier. A number of open waggons were being laden with people and baggage; one particularly large woman was atop a comparatively small ladder actually being pushed in by the coachman! Dogs barked, a few couples embraced in a most visibly fond farewell, the land-lady standing in the door-way of the inn superintending the proceedings. In the waggon, a lady struggled with an umbrella to remain dry and protect her cloathing, the effect of which was entirely hindered by the success of the rain and the jostling of the other passengers in their efforts to reorder their cases, as more passengers attempted to push their way into the waggon. A man with a peg-leg wandered by, head bare, hat in hand, asking for alms; a woman selling pots shouted in all directions, attempting to keep the crowd of people and animals from treading on them; and, at the far end of the inn, a soldier embraced a young woman holding a basket of eggs, whilst another young lady in a night-dress was come out of a door, clearly in the intent of stopping the proceedings. The area where the ship moored was near pandemonium, with servants and every variety of traveller trying to get their cases on board—running here, pushing there, crying, laughing, shouting, cursing, all busy with making ready to leave. Despite the down-pour, friends who had come purposely to be in the way and wave their friends off to sea were ordered off by the bell, causing a renewed disorder, with fluttering hand-kerchiefs, outstretched hands, shouted instructions, commands, admonishments, and advice; a few gentle adieus and good wishes could occasionally be overheard. At last all of their baggage, carriages, and horses were loaded into the hold, and the family walked aboard. Elizabeth was vastly amused at the tableaux surrounding the departure of the ship, her spirits rising apace with the commotion and clamour.