Page:Ballantyne--The Battery and the Boiler.djvu/298

 "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 Robin sallied forth together, while Slagg and Stumps went their separate ways, having appointed to meet again in the evening for supper.

We will follow the fortunes of Mr. John Shanks. That rather vacant and somewhat degenerate youth, having his precious bag slung from his shoulders, and his left arm round it for further security, sauntered forth and began to view the town. His viewing it consisted chiefly in looking long and steadily at the shop windows of the principal