rofessor also expressed
a preference for the quietude of his usual surroundings over the bustle
and fussiness that he anticipated would ensue upon so unusual an
occurrence as the visit of strangers to a mail-boat. The visiting party
therefore consisted of Lady Olivia, Ida, Sir Reginald, Mildmay, and
Lethbridge, most of whom availed themselves of the opportunity to
scribble a hasty letter or two to friends at home.

It was about a quarter of an hour after "two bells" had pealed out on
board the _Baroda_ that the visiting party stepped out on deck from the
pilot-house of the _Flying Fish_, equipped for their excursion; and it
was evident that the officer of the watch on the liner's bridge had
received instructions to keep a sharp look-out for them, for immediately
upon their appearance the steamer sheered in toward her consort until
she had approached within easy hailing distance. When the hail came--

"_Flying Fish_ ahoy! Are you ready to come aboard us?"

"Quite ready," answered Mildmay, with a wave of his hand.

"Right!" responded the figure on the bridge, as he rang down to the
engine-room the order to stop the engines. "Will you come in your own
boat, or shall we send one for you?"

"Thanks very much," answered Mildmay. "We will use our own boat."

Whereupon, the engines of the _Flying Fish_ also having been stopped,
Mildmay climbed into the starboard quarter boat, which Sir Reginald then
lowered. Then, the tackles having been released, she was hauled up to
the gangway-ladder and the remainder of the party descended into her.
Two minutes later she was alongside the _Baroda_, and a seaman was at
the bottom of the accommodation ladder to assist the ladies out of the
boat.

The captain of the mail-boat was waiting at the head of the ladder to
receive his guests, and behind him a crowd of passengers, all eager to
get a nearer glimpse of the visitors, whose appearance upon the scene
had been so romantically opportune.

"Welcome aboard the _Baroda_, Sir Reginald," exclaimed the skipper, in a
bluff, hearty manner, offering his hand to the man whom he remembered
having heard so named when Mildmay had hailed the ship an hour or so
before; "welcome, ladies and gentlemen. Permit me to introduce myself.
I am Captain Prescott, and this is Mr Mumford, my chief officer.
Perhaps you will have the kindness to introduce me to your friends?"

The ceremony of introduction having been duly performed, the tiffin-bell
rang