I should be glad to have the
advice of such counsellors as we were so fortunate as to pick up in the
midst of the rage of the stormy ocean."

"The time of our party is at your disposal for as long a period as we can
be of service to you. We do not wish to force ourselves upon you. We owe
our lives to you, and we believe we may contribute to your pleasure and
instruction; for we are at home here."

"We did only our duty when we found you on the wreck; and anything in the
nature of a recompense for the service which every sailor owes to his
fellow-men, or to those who sail on the seas, would be repugnant to me, as
it would be to my officers," replied Captain Ringgold.

"I beg you will not regard my proposition as anything in the shape of a
recompense; for all our fortunes and all our time for years to come would
not be an adequate return for the immeasurable service you have rendered to
us," protested the viscount. "We have all been delighted with the manner in
which we have been entertained on board of the Guardian-Mother; and without
regard to our rescue from the very jaws of death, I declare, upon my honor
as a gentleman, that you have won our hearts,--you, Mr. Commander, and all
connected with you on board."

"Amen!" shouted Dr. Ferrolan in a burst of enthusiasm.

"So say we all of us!" cried Sir Modava.

"Now permit me to say in all sincerity, that if our acquaintance had begun
when we set foot on the deck of your ship, and the noble conduct of the
ship's company were entirely obliterated from our memories, we should feel
as we do now," said Lord Tremlyn.

"So say we all of us," sang the doctor with Sir Modava.

"I may say that if I had gone on board of the Guardian-Mother for the first
time in the harbor of Bombay, I should have felt the same, and had just as
strong a desire to assist you in seeing India. When gentlemen of education
and character come here from England, the officials give them a warm
welcome, and do their best to enable them to see the country, its manners
and customs, and its institutions, to the best advantage. We should do the
same with Americans; and I account myself fortunate in being the first to
greet you, and welcome you to India."

The other two heartily responded to the sentiments of the speaker, and the
commander could say no more. By this time the steamer was in the midst of
the fishing-boats and other craft. Louis called for three cheers for the
guests, and they were given wit