The trio of distinguished2 individuals who had been conducted to the main cabin by the commander were of course soaked with water, and chilled after remaining so long in their involuntary bath; and for this reason no questions were asked of them to bring out an explanation of the cause of the disaster of which they had been the victims. There were three vacant state-rooms, to which they were assigned, and each of them had a bathroom connected with it. The two cabin stewards4 had already been ordered to prepare these rooms for the occupancy of the newcomers. Warm baths were ready for them when they took possession of the apartments.
"All this is more luxurious5 than we have been accustomed to lately," said Lord Tremlyn, when the commander ushered6 him into No. 11, which was provided with everything belonging to a suite7 of rooms in the best hotels of the United States.
"I hope you will be able to make yourself comfortable, sir; but your greatest need at the present moment appears to be dry clothing, when you have restored your limbs to their normal condition in the bath, and I will endeavor to supply this want," replied the commander.
"You are very kind, Captain Ringgold, and I shall never cease to be grateful to you for the service you have rendered to me and my companions; for all of us would have perished when the wreck8 of our steamer went down, without the prompt assistance you rendered to us," said the principal personage of the party, who was still shivering under the influence of the chill he had received in the cold waters of the sea.
The captain retired9, closing the door of the room. He went to No. 12, to which Sir Modava Rao had been shown, and then to No. 13, which had been appropriated to Dr. Ferrolan. He assured both of them that dry clothing would be provided for them, and both of them stammered10 forth11 their obligations very profusely12 from between their chattering13 teeth. The doors were closed upon them after they had been instructed to call upon the stewards outside for anything they needed.
The commander had taken the measure of the trio, and knew where to apply for the clothing needed. The surgeon of the party was about the size of Mr. Sage14, the chief steward3 of the ship; and he was asked to supply a full suit, including undergarments, shirt, socks, collar, and cravat15. His lordship was about the size of Mr. Woolridge, who was more than happy to provide for the needs of this gentleman. Professor Giroud was a rather slender person; and from his wardrobe came the suit and other furnishings for the titled Hindu. The clothing of each person was placed on a stool at the door of his room, and he was notified where to obtain it.
"Mr. Sage, you understand by this time that we have sixteen places to be taken at the table," said Captain Ringgold to the chief steward.
"I think I had better set two tables, for sixteen would be rather crowded in the space we use now," replied Mr. Sage, who was a Napoleon in his calling. "I propose to arrange them as they were at the big dinner you gave at Aden."
"And while you are about it you may arrange for nineteen places at the tables," replied the captain; but he did not explain who were to occupy the three he had added to the number.
The commander went to his private cabin, after he had visited the pilot-house, and made a diagram of the two tables, assigning places to each of the party and the guests, but leaving three of the end places vacant. He showed it to Louis and Mrs. Belgrave, and they made no objection to the new arrangement. It was handed to the chief steward, who put a card with the name of the occupant of each seat on the plate in front of it. The revolving16 chairs at the tables had to be all changed, and more added to it; and Stevens the carpenter, with his assistants from the crew, were busy for an hour making the change.
When the commander visited the music-room, he was unable to answer any of the questions of his passengers as to the details of the wreck of the Travancore, though he gave the names and quality of the three gentlemen who had been invited to go below. The sleepers17 in the cabin had been aroused by the erratic18 movements of the steamer before daylight, especially by the change from rolling to pitching. There was a thundering roar of escaping steam at times, and all of them had "turned out" to ascertain20 the cause of the commotion21. Felix and Morris had been the first to go on deck, and they had informed the others of the nature of the event which had caused the commotion on board.
The regular passengers had seen the strangers as they came down to the promenade deck from the cutters. They were naturally filled with curiosity to ascertain who and what the trio were. One was a lord, another a sir, and the third a surgeon; and this was all that was known to any one.
"Have we really a live lord on board, Felix?" asked Mrs. Blossom, as they were waiting for breakfast in the music-room.
"He is not a dead one, sure," replied the Milesian, "though he would soon have been a very dead one if we had not happened along when we did."
"One of them was a colored man," added the good lady.
"Sir Modava Rao!" exclaimed Felix. "He is not more than a shade darker than you are, Aunty; and he is a great man in the country we visit next. But dry up; the captain is going to say something."
The commander gave the names of the three distinguished persons who were then in the cabin. It was very nearly breakfast-time, and the trio had had abundant time to dress themselves in the garments provided for them, and he requested all the party to descend22 to the cabin, leading the way himself. They found the rescued party seated on the divans23 between the doors of the state-rooms, and they all rose to their feet as soon as the commander appeared.
They presented an entirely24 different appearance from what they did in their drabbled garments; for those who had supplied them with clothing had brought out their best clothes, and the three gentlemen seemed to be in condition to go to church. Lord Tremlyn hastened to the captain with extended hand as he stepped down upon the floor of the cabin.
"I desire to express my gratitude25 anew to you, and to the gentlemen who have made us capable of coming into your presence in proper condition," said his lordship, as the commander took his offered hand, which was wrung26 with the utmost cordiality.
"So far as I am concerned, my Lord, I have done nothing but my duty; for I am a sailor, and the true son of the ocean is always ready to sacrifice even his life to save a shipwrecked brother of the sea," replied the captain.
"Then you are a true son of the ocean, Captain Ringgold, and I shall remember you as long as I live in my prayers!"
"So shall we all!" exclaimed Sir Modava, taking the hand of the commander.
"I indorse the sentiment," added Dr. Ferrolan.
"In regard to the clothing," said the commander, as he threw back his head, elevated his shoulders, and spread out his arms, so as to exhibit to its full extent the height and breadth of his stalwart form, "I was, unfortunately, unable to contribute to the supply of garments for your party; for mine on any one of you would have been like a shirt on a handspike."
"But a London tailor could hardly have fitted us any better," replied the spokesman of the trio.
"I am happy to see you in such excellent condition so soon after the disaster. With your permission, gentlemen, I desire to introduce you to each of my passengers, promising28 to indicate those whose garments you wear," continued the commander.
"With the greatest pleasure," replied Lord Tremlyn; and the other two bowed their acquiescence29.
"This, gentlemen, is Mr. Belgrave, the owner of the Guardian-Mother, the steam-yacht in which he is making a voyage round the world."
"I am extremely pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr. Belgrave," added Lord Tremlyn, as he took the hand of the young millionaire. "We owe our lives to the fortunate presence of your magnificent steam-yacht in this part of the Arabian Sea. Permit me to present to you Prince Modava, who has been knighted for his distinguished services to the British Crown, and who prefers to be known by his English title."
"That's your colored man!" whispered Felix to Mrs. Blossom.
"Good gracious!" exclaimed the motherly lady. "A live prince!"
"It affords me very great pleasure to become acquainted with you, Mr. Belgrave," with a smile so sweet and expressive30 that it ravished the hearts of the ladies. "I am under a burden of obligation to you which I shall never be able to repay; and I hope I shall be able to render you some slight service in assisting you to see India, for I learn that you are bound to Bombay."
"I thank you, Sir Modava; and we shall gratefully accept any favors you may extend to us."
"Let me add, my Lord, that Mr. Belgrave pulled the stroke oar19 in the boat which picked you up after you had sent our first cutter to the relief of Sir Modava," interposed the commander.
"Then I shall have an additional reason to remember with gratitude the young gentleman," added Lord Tremlyn.
"Mrs. Belgrave, gentlemen, the mother of our owner," the captain proceeded, as he took the lady by the arm.
"I congratulate you, madam, on being the mother of such a noble son; for not many young men with the fortune he has at his command would pull an oar in such a gale31, such a storm, even to save his fellow-beings from perishing in the angry waves," said his lordship, as he took the hand of the lady. "Blessed be the mother of such a boy!"
The members of the Woolridge family were next presented to the trio; and the distinguished strangers had something pleasant to say to each of them. The "live lord" was only twenty-eight years old, and Sir Modava but thirty, while Dr. Ferrolan was forty-six; and all of them seemed to be greatly impressed, and even startled, when Miss Blanche dawned upon them; for she was as beautiful to them as she was to everybody else, and they seemed to be unwilling32 to allow her to make room for the others to be introduced.
Every person in the cabin seemed to enter into the spirit of the occasion; and the wearers of the borrowed clothing, as the owners of the garments were indicated, brought forth many humorous remarks from both sides, which it would be pleasant to report if space permitted. The ceremony was finished in due time, though it was rather a long time.
"We are not accustomed to the companionship of titled personages," said the commander at its conclusion. "But we are eminently33 a social party, and we desire our guests to make themselves as much at home on board of the Guardian-Mother as if they owned her, and were running her for their own pleasure."
"Thank you, Captain Ringgold. Titles are not men, and we know that you are all republicans. If we do not make ourselves worthy34 of the generous welcome you have extended to us, we shall not ask any consideration on account of the titles that have fallen upon us through the nature of our constitutional government. I believe that we all stand on the same level before our Maker35; and whatever social distinctions prevail in our country, they do not exempt36 any Briton from being a gentleman and an honest man," replied Lord Tremlyn. And his remarks were warmly applauded by both English and Americans; and the gentleman bowed his thanks for this appreciation37 of his sentiments.
At a nod from the captain the bell was rung for breakfast. Taking the "live lord" by the arm, he conducted him to the seat next him on his right. Louis conducted Sir Modava to the place on the commander's left, and placed his mother next to him. It was found impracticable to heed38 the names that had been placed on the plates, for it would have taken too much time. Louis took Miss Blanche to the place next to his mother, and seated himself at her right.
Dr. Hawkes took possession of Dr. Ferrolan, and placed himself and Uncle Moses on each side of him. The professor took charge of Mrs. Blossom. The captain invited those who remained standing39 to take such seats as they chose; and when all were placed at the table, he reverently40 said a brief grace. Everybody was unusually social; but as the commander had announced that the particulars of the wreck of the Travancore would be detailed41 in due time by Dr. Ferrolan, the subject was ignored, and the voyage of the Guardian-Mother was the general subject of conversation. The chief steward had "spread himself" on the breakfast, and the meal was far more elaborate than usual; and the wrecked27 trio proved that they had excellent appetites.
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1
promenade
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| n./v.散步 | |
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2
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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3
steward
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| n.乘务员，服务员；看管人；膳食管理员 | |
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stewards
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| （轮船、飞机等的）乘务员( steward的名词复数 )； （俱乐部、旅馆、工会等的）管理员； （大型活动的）组织者； （私人家中的）管家 | |
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5
luxurious
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| adj.精美而昂贵的；豪华的 | |
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6
ushered
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| v.引，领，陪同( usher的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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7
suite
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| n.一套(家具)；套房；随从人员 | |
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wreck
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| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
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9
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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stammered
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| v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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profusely
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| ad.abundantly | |
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chattering
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| n. （机器振动发出的）咔嗒声，(鸟等)鸣，啁啾 adj. 喋喋不休的，啾啾声的 动词chatter的现在分词形式 | |
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14
sage
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| n.圣人，哲人；adj.贤明的，明智的 | |
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15
cravat
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| n.领巾，领结；v.使穿有领结的服装，使结领结 | |
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16
revolving
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| adj.旋转的，轮转式的；循环的v.（使）旋转( revolve的现在分词 )；细想 | |
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sleepers
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| n.卧铺（通常以复数形式出现）；卧车( sleeper的名词复数 )；轨枕；睡觉（呈某种状态）的人；小耳环 | |
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erratic
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| adj.古怪的，反复无常的，不稳定的 | |
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oar
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| n.桨，橹，划手；v.划行 | |
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20
ascertain
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| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
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commotion
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| n.骚动，动乱 | |
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descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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divans
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| n.（可作床用的）矮沙发( divan的名词复数 )；（波斯或其他东方诗人的）诗集 | |
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24
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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wrung
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| 绞( wring的过去式和过去分词 )； 握紧（尤指别人的手）； 把（湿衣服）拧干； 绞掉（水） | |
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wrecked
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| adj.失事的，遇难的 | |
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promising
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| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
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acquiescence
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| n.默许；顺从 | |
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expressive
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| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
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31
gale
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| n.大风，强风，一阵闹声（尤指笑声等） | |
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32
unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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eminently
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| adv.突出地；显著地；不寻常地 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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maker
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| n.制造者，制造商 | |
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exempt
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| adj.免除的；v.使免除；n.免税者，被免除义务者 | |
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appreciation
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| n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨 | |
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38
heed
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| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
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39
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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40
reverently
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| adv.虔诚地 | |
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41
detailed
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| adj.详细的，详尽的，极注意细节的，完全的 | |
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