h vigor and sincerity. The party separated,
and its members gave themselves up to an examination of the surroundings.

CHAPTER XV

ARRIVAL OF THE GUARDIAN-MOTHER AT BOMBAY

The coast of Bombay was in plain sight, the province, or state, whose
capital has the same name. Groves of cocoanut, date, and other palm-trees
bordered it; and far back of it was a range of mountains, the Western
Ghats, a chain extending for hundreds of miles along the shore, though from
twenty to fifty miles from it.

The fishing-boats were Oriental, and nothing new to the tourists; but the
men in them were swarthy-looking fellows, not abundantly provided with
clothing. The greater portion of India has a warm climate, and the dress of
the people is adapted to it. For the most part, the natives are bundled up
in loose white cotton cloth, or what was originally white, which they twist
about their bodies with a skill acquired by practice. But these boatmen
were almost in a primitive condition.

The distinguished guests on board of the Guardian-Mother were perfectly
familiar with Bombay and its surroundings, as they were with all of the
country, and their services were just now in demand. The Woolridges had
attached themselves to Lord Tremlyn; Louis Belgrave was very likely to be
in their company most of the time, and the viscount had manifested no
little interest in the young millionaire. He was pointing out the country,
and describing it, to this group of four.

Dr. Ferrolan was not so much of a ladies' man as his two younger
companions, and was rendering similar service to his professional brother,
Uncle Moses, and Professor Giroud. They formed a quartet of educated men,
and were more in touch with each other than they might otherwise have been.
Sir Modava Rao had attracted to his side Mrs. Belgrave; Mrs. Blossom was
usually her shadow; and of course Captain Ringgold, when not employed in
his duties in the navigation of the steamer, gravitated, not materially but
sentimentally, to this group; for wherever Mrs. Belgrave was, the commander
was not far off.

Felix divided himself up among the three parties; and, as he was a lively
boy, he afforded no little amusement to all of them. The entire company,
including the captain and the third officer, who were to take part in the
business of sight-seeing, consisted of sixteen persons, which was just the
complement for four carriages, if they w