Across India; Or, Live Boys in the Far East — John Shaqi
Across India; Or, Live Boys in the Far EastOptic, Oliver
General
Across India; Or, Live Boys in the Far East
Optic, Oliver
India -- Juvenile literature
The commander had taken the measure of the trio, and knew where to apply
for the clothing needed. The surgeon of the party was about the size of Mr.
Sage, the chief steward of the ship; and he was asked to supply a full
suit, including undergarments, shirt, socks, collar, and cravat. His
lordship was about the size of Mr. Woolridge, who was more than happy to
provide for the needs of this gentleman. Professor Giroud was a rather
slender person; and from his wardrobe came the suit and other furnishings
for the titled Hindu. The clothing of each person was placed on a stool at
the door of his room, and he was notified where to obtain it.
"Mr. Sage, you understand by this time that we have sixteen places to be
taken at the table," said Captain Ringgold to the chief steward.
"I think I had better set two tables, for sixteen would be rather crowded
in the space we use now," replied Mr. Sage, who was a Napoleon in his
calling. "I propose to arrange them as they were at the big dinner you gave
at Aden."
"And while you are about it you may arrange for nineteen places at the
tables," replied the captain; but he did not explain who were to occupy the
three he had added to the number.
The commander went to his private cabin, after he had visited the
pilot-house, and made a diagram of the two tables, assigning places to each
of the party and the guests, but leaving three of the end places vacant. He
showed it to Louis and Mrs. Belgrave, and they made no objection to the new
arrangement. It was handed to the chief steward, who put a card with the
name of the occupant of each seat on the plate in front of it. The
revolving chairs at the tables had to be all changed, and more added to it;
and Stevens the carpenter, with his assistants from the crew, were busy for
an hour making the change.
When the commander visited the music-room, he was unable to answer any of
the questions of his passengers as to the details of the wreck of the
Travancore, though he gave the names and quality of the three gentlemen who
had been invited to go below. The sleepers in the cabin had been aroused by
the erratic movements of the steamer before daylight, especially by the
change from rolling to pitching. There was a thundering roar of escaping
steam at times, and all of them had "turned out" to ascertain the cause of
the commotion. Felix and Morris had been the first to go on deck, and they
had informed the others of the nature of the event which had caused the
commotion on board.
The regular passengers had seen the strangers as they came down to the
promenade deck from the cutters. They were naturally filled with curiosity
to ascertain who and what the trio were. One was a lord, another a sir, and
the third a surgeon; and this was all that was known to any one.
"Have we really a live lord on board, Felix?" asked Mrs. Blossom, as they
were waiting for breakfast in the music-room.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account