Lou Pope , as Lady of the Lake , rowed her own boat , with Jack for a droll little Harper , twanging his zitter for want of a better instrument . A black craft hung with lurid red lanterns and manned by a crew of ferocious pirates in scarlet shirts , dark beards , and an imposing display of pistols and cutlasses in their belts , not to mention the well-known skull and cross-bones on the flag flying at the masthead , produced a tremendous effect as the crew clashed their arms and roared the blood-thirstiest song they could find . All the boys cheered that , and all the horses pranced as the pirates fired off their pistols , causing timid ladies to shriek , and prudent drivers to retire from the bridges with their carriage-loads of company . A Chinese junk -LRB- or what was intended to look like one , but really resembled a mud-scow -RRB- , with a party of Mandarins , rich in fans , umbrellas , and pigtails , taking tea on board in a blaze of fantastic lanterns , delighted the children . Then a long low boat came sliding by softly , lighted with pale blue lamps , and on a white couch lay `` Elaine , '' the letter in her hand , the golden hair streaming to her knees , and at her feet the dwarf sorrowfully rowing her down to Camelot . Every one recognized that , for the master of the revels got it up as no one else could ; and Maud laughed to herself as the floating tableau went under the bridge , and she heard people rushing to the other side , waiting eagerly to see the `` lily maid '' appear and glide away , followed by applause , as one of the prettiest sights seen that night . There were eighty boats in all , and as the glittering train wound along the curves of the river smooth and dark as a mirror , the effect was truly beautiful , especially when they all congregated below the illuminated bridge , making an island of many-colored light . An enchanted island it seemed to lookers-on , for music and laughter came from it , and a strange mixture of picturesque faces and figures flitted to and fro . Elaine sat up and ate bonbons with the faithful dwarf ; Ellen Douglas ducked the Harper ; the Chinamen invited Cleopatra to tea ; the mermaids pelted the pirates with water-lilies ; the gallant gondolier talked art with the Venetian ladies ; and the jolly little tars danced hornpipes , regardless of danger ; while the three Indians , Fred , Herbert , and Elly , whooped and tomahawked right and left as if on the war-path . A regular Midsummer Night 's Dream frolic , which every one enjoyed heartily , while the band played patriotic airs , the pretty villa shone like a fairy palace , and the sky was full of dazzling meteors , falling stars , and long-tailed comets , as the rockets whizzed and blazed from the hill-tops . Just as the fun was at its height the hurried clang of a bell startled the merry-makers , and a cry of `` Fire ! '' came from the town , causing a general stampede . `` Post-office all afire ! Men wanted ! '' shouted a breathless boy , racing through the crowd toward the river . Then great was the scampering , for shops stood thickly all about the post-office , and distracted merchants hastily collected their goods , while the firemen smashed windows , ran up and down ladders , broke in doors , and poured streams of water with generous impartiality over everybody and everything in the neighborhood , and the boys flew about , as if this unexpected display of fireworks suited them exactly . Such noble exertions could not fail of success , and the fire was happily extinguished before the river was pumped dry . Then every one went home , and , feeling the need of refreshment after their labors , had supper all over again , to the great delight of the young folks , who considered this a most appropriate finish to an exciting day . But the merriest party of all was the one gathered on Fred 's piazza to eat cake and talk over the fun . Such a droll group as they were .
The XXXXX were sadly dilapidated as to feathers and paint , beside being muddy to the knees , having landed in hot haste .
Chinese Douglas Harper Indians Maud bonbons gondolier hornpipes night pigtails