ddle of the river, where the billow
does not break against the shore. Ships often part their cables, and knock
themselves to pieces against the walls. Sometimes the bore is twelve feet
high, though not much more than half that generally."

"What are the prices at a hotel like this one, Lord Tremlyn?" asked Dr.
Hawkes.

"Here is the list of prices," replied his lordship, handing him a card
taken from the wall.

"Coffee at six in the morning, breakfast _a la fourchette_ at nine,
tiffin at one, and dinner at seven. Price, Rs. six per day," the doctor
read. "I suppose Rs. means rupees; and that makes it about twelve English
shillings, or three dollars a day, which is not high."

"There are no extras except for wines, liquors, and beer, which none of
your people use," added the viscount. "But you have to pay for your own
attendance; and your servant's pay is from eight to ten rupees a month, or
about a pound."

"Cheap enough!" exclaimed the surgeon. "I have to pay my waiter at home six
pounds a month."

"Now, what is there to be seen in Calcutta?" asked the commander after
breakfast.

"If you wish to see mosques, temples, pagodas"--the viscount began.

"We do not," interposed the captain. "At first those were very interesting;
but we have seen enough of them."

"I supposed so," added Lord Tremlyn. "I have ordered carriages, and to-day
we will take a general view of the city."

This plan was agreeable to the party, and it was carried out. From the
hotel they proceeded to the river. There was a crowd of shipping at anchor,
and at the landing-stages and jetties. Among them Louis was the first to
discover the Guardian-Mother. She was in the middle of the river, off Fort
William. Half a mile below her they saw the Blanche. At the request of the
commander, the carriages went down to the fort, where the passengers all
alighted, and gathered together on the shore. The gentlemen cheered, and
the ladies waved their handkerchiefs.

"I see that Mr. Boulong has painted the ship, and she looks as taut and
snug as a man-of-war," said the commander, who was evidently glad to see
his vessel.

"They are lowering the boats," added Louis; and in a few minutes the barge
and first cutter came up to the shore.

There was a general handshaking with the first officer, in command, and the
boys extended this courtesy to all the crews of the boats, going on board
of them for a few minutes. It was a happy meeting; but it could not be lon