ities of costume.

When they reached the hotel, which was a very comfortable one, in English
style, it was two hours to tiffin, and most of the party preferred to pass
the time in the parlor. The live boys could not keep still, and they went
out for a walk. The sights were not novel enough to hold them; and when a
driver of a bullock-cart salaamed to them, and pointed to his vehicle,
Felix suggested that they should take a ride. Of course, they could not
speak a word of the language; and, however it may have been with other
conductors of vehicles, this one did not know a word of English.

"Mavalipoor?" interrogated the driver, when the "Big Four" had seated
themselves in the corners of the vehicle, which had a body like an omnibus
for four, with a top like the dome of a small temple. They had no idea what
the word or sentence used by the driver had been, but supposed it was
something worth seeing in the town. Two palanquins went by them at full
tilt, and they saw what was to be seen in the street. They went on several
miles, till they appeared to be leaving the city behind them, and they
thought it was time to call a halt. They talked vigorously to the cartman,
and all of them pointed back to the city, and yelled "Madras!"

"Mavalipoor!" screamed the driver, pointing with equal energy in the
direction the cart was headed. But the fellow would not stop, and the
lively boys all leaped out of the cart to the ground. He would not go on
without them; but fortunately a gentleman in English costume came along on
horseback. The quartet touched their hats to him, and he stopped his steed.
Louis stated that they wished to go to the Royal Hotel.

"The hotel is not in this direction," replied the horseman with much
suavity. But at this moment the driver had something to say, and delivered
himself with energy. "He says you engaged him to take you to Mavalipoor,"
the rider explained. Louis stated their position, that when the cartman
said "Mavalipoor" they had assented, without knowing what he meant.

"You can make it all right with the man by giving him a rupee when he
leaves you at your hotel," replied the gentleman, laughing heartily at the
mistake, and then informed them that there were some Hindu temples at
Mavalipoor, more than thirty miles distant, that were visited by strangers.
He then ordered the driver to convey his fare to the Royal Hotel, in a very
peremptory manner, and the man obeyed. Thanking the gentleman for his