Roger's projected jaunt in London did not turn out as satisfactorily as
he had anticipated, as he caught a heavy cold on the first day, which
kept him a prisoner in his hotel. Mr Armstrong needed all his
authority to restrain the invalid within bounds; and it was only by
threatening to convey him bodily home that the boy consented to nurse
himself. Even so, it was as much as he could do to shake off his cold
sufficiently on the morning of the arrival of the "Oriana" to accompany
his tutor to the Dock to greet his unknown kinsfolk.
As he shouldered his way on board over the crowded gangway, he found
himself speculating somewhat nervously as to which of the numerous
passengers standing about the deck was his new guardian. Was it the
ferocious man with the great black beard who was swearing at his Indian
servant in a voice loud enough to be heard all over the ship? Or was it
the dissipated-looking fellow who walked unsteadily across the
motionless ship, and finally clung for support to the deck railings? Or
was it the discontented-looking little person who scowled at the company
at large from the bridge? Or was it the complacent man with the
expansive presence and leonine head, who smoked a big cigar and was
exchanging a few effusive farewells with a small group of fellow-
voyagers?