land with her possessions in the East. The streets and quays
are crowded with the men of many nations and various creeds, to say
nothing of varied costume. Turbans and chimney-pots salaam to each
other, and fezzes nod to straw hats and wide-awakes. Every one is more
than usually sympathetic, for all have their minds, eyes, and hopes,
more or less, centred on the "big ship," with her unique and precious
cargo.

But it is with neither the Great Eastern nor the people--not even with
the cable--that we have to do just now. Removing our eyes from such, we
fix them and our attention on a very small steamer which lies alongside
one of the wharves, and shows evidence of having been severely handled
by winds and waves.

At the time we direct attention to her, a few passengers were landing
from this vessel, and among them were our friends, Sam Shipton, Robin
Wright, Jim Slagg, John Shanks, _alias_ Stumps, and Letta Langley. Most
of the passengers had luggage of some sort, but our friends possessed
only a small bag each, slung over their shoulders. A letter from the
authorities of Sarawak certified that they were honest men.

"Now, Robin," said Sam, as they pushed through the crowds, "there seems
to me something auspicious in our arriving about the same time with the
Great Eastern, and I hope something may come of it, but our first
business is to make inquiries for Mrs Langley. We will therefore go
and find the hotel to which we have been recommended, and make that our
head-quarters while we are engaged in our search."

"Can I lend you a hand, Mr Shipton?" asked Slagg, who had become, as it
were, irresistibly more respectful to Robin and Sam since coming among
civilised people.

"No, Slagg; our mission is too delicate to admit of numbers. If we
require your services we'll let you know."

"Ah! I see--too many cooks apt to spoil the broth. Well, my mission
will be to loaf about and see Bombay. You and I will pull together,
Stumps."

"No," said Stumps, to the surprise of his companions, "I've got a
private mission of my own--at least for this evening."

"Well, please yourself, Stumpy," said Slagg with a good-humoured laugh,
"you never was the best o' company, so I won't break my heart."

At the hotel to which they had been recommended two rooms were
engaged,--a small single room for Letta, and one with two beds and a
sofa for themselves.

Having breakfasted and commended Letta to the landlady's care, Sam and
R