The landing craft moored and steadied, Bertier and the others saw an exaggeratedly long gangplank extending from the ship, and shortly afterward, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince appeared before their eyes.
After a simple welcoming ceremony, Joseph walked straight along the more-than-30-meter gangplank to the carriage that had been unloaded from the ship.
Bertier, eyeing the strange carriage with a sealed bottom and pointed ends, pulled Kesode aside with a puzzled look and asked:
"What is this... for the Prince?"
The latter spread his hands helplessly and whispered:
"His Royal Highness promised the Queen that he would stay on the ship at all times. So, that is a ship. A ship mounted on a carriage."
Bertier: "..."
Half an hour later, the procession arrived at the outskirts of Tunis City, where Joseph immediately saw a vast array of tents—thousands of them—arranged on open ground beside the main road.