Page:Ballantyne--The Battery and the Boiler.djvu/368

 I cannot be included among the guests at this approaching feast."

"I 'm sorry for that, Sam," said our hero.

"Why so, Robin? Does a morbid devotion to chicken and ham, or sweets, influence you?"

"Not at all, though I make no pretence of indifference to such things, but I should so much like to hear the speeches."

"Well, my boy, your desire shall be gratified. Through the influence of our, I might almost say miraculous, friend, Frank Hedley, we shall be permitted to witness the proceedings from a retired corner of the saloon, in company with crockery and waiters and other débris of the feast."

At the appointed time the company assembled, and enjoyed as good a luncheon as money could procure.

"How some people do eat!" murmured Robin from his corner to Sam, who sat beside him.

"Yes, for it is their nature to," replied Sam.

After the first toast was drunk the company braced themselves to the mental work of the afternoon, and although, as a matter of course, a good deal of twaddle was spoken, there was also much that threw light on the subject of ocean telegraphy. One of the leading merchants said, in his opening remarks: "Few of those present, I daresay, are really familiar with the history of ocean telegraphy."