d were soon in Colombo again. The
Guardian-Mother was announced to sail the next day early in the afternoon.
The time for parting with Lord Tremlyn, Sir Modava Rao, and Dr. Ferrolan
had nearly arrived. The hosts of the party had provided a grand dinner for
the last one. The governor and a number of officials, the American consul,
and others had been invited.

Lord Tremlyn presided with Captain Ringgold on his right; and after the
fine dinner had been disposed of the commander was the person called upon
to respond to the first toast, "The Guardian-Mother and her Passengers."
The name announced was received with the most tremendous applause, and "For
he's a jolly good fellow!" was sung by Englishmen, assisted by the
Americans, including the ladies.

Captain Ringgold began his speech, for which he had prepared himself, and
reviewed the incidents which had occurred since the survivors of the
Travancore had been taken from their perilous position. He set forth the
obligations to which his passengers and himself were under to the
distinguished gentlemen who had conducted them through India. He was
frequently interrupted by hearty applause, and his speech was as eloquent
as it was sensible; and it was worthy a Senator in Congress.

Lord Tremlyn was equally eloquent in the acknowledgment of his obligations,
and those of his friends, to the noble commander and his ship's company;
and possibly he was a little extravagant in some things that he said, but
that was excusable on such an occasion. The next person presented was Mr.
Louis Belgrave, who declared that he represented the "Big Four," which
puzzled the strangers, though he explained the term and where it came from.
The boys had been happy all the time. They admired and loved the noble
gentlemen under whose guidance they had had six weeks of the best time in
all their lives. When he said what he had to say, he approached the
chairman with a large and handsome frame in his hand, containing a
testimonial from the passengers, attested by the autographs of all, which
he presented to Lord Tremlyn, with the best wishes of all the signers, who
had profited so extensively from their kindness, for the health, happiness,
and length of days of the trio.

This ceremony, not set down in the programme, brought forth rapturous
applause and ringing cheers. The band played, and everybody seemed to be
enjoying the happiest moment of his life. All the principal personages at
the table made s