ngers with joy at the discovery.

A small tender now came alongside, and the Health Officer boarded the
ship, and at once granted _pratique_, as there had been no sickness
during the voyage. Several people accompanied him. Reg and Hal, taking
advantage of the lull, escaped to their cabins, but no sooner were they
there than the Captain rushed down to them, shook hands, and
complimented them on their disguise. He had not taken any notice of them
before, for he was a big man in his own estimation.

"I really feel annoyed at your not letting me into the secret of your
identity, gentlemen, for there is great competition and jealousy between
the captains on this route as to whose ship carries most members of the
nobility in a year. I'd have put on extra steam had I known, and arrived
a day sooner. You two will put me top of the list, and I shall be bound
to have a big passenger list coming home."

"But, Captain, we are not lords or noblemen, or anything else," said
Hal, laughing at the joke; but the Captain, being called on deck, left
them with a hurried apology.

"That confounded old fool Tickell will get us into trouble yet," said
Reg, as they both returned to the deck.

"That's them," said Tickell, pointing them out to a couple of young men
standing by with note-books and pencils in their hands, whereupon both
stepped up to them.

"My lords, I have the honour to represent the _Advertiser_. I should
feel much obliged if you would give a few particulars of your visit to
the Colony."

"I belong to the _Register_, my lords," said his companion, preparing to
write.

"I am afraid, gentlemen, you are under some mistake," said Reg. "We are
not lords, nor anything of the kind, we are happy to say. Here are our
cards."

"But you are travelling _incognito_, perhaps?" suggested one.

"No, we are both Australian born, and if I don't make a mistake, I
believe I recognise Joe Watson," answered Hal.

"That's my name. Why, now I know you--Winter; Hal Winter, of course,"
and they shook hands, laughing heartily over the joke.

"Then who is that old fool who told us a long yarn about your being
lords in disguise? I am awfully sorry you are not."

"And why, Watson?" asked Hal.

"Oh, news is scarce, and the arrivals of nobility are welcomed nowadays.
They catch on, you know."

"Don't understand, Watson."

"Why, from a matrimonial point of view. There are so many mammas lying
in wait to receive them. But I must go. I am gla