Page:Floating City (1904).djvu/48

 with the whiskers and left the chin bare, after the fashion of the day. This tall fellow was the exact type of an English officer; his figure was erect without stiffness, his look calm, his walk dignified but easy; his whole appearance seemed to indicate unusual courage, and I was not mistaken in him.

"My friend, Archibald Corsican," said Fabian to me, "a captain in the 22nd regiment of the Indian army, like myself."

Thus introduced, Captain Corsican and I bowed.

"We hardly saw each other yesterday, Fabian," said I, shaking Captain Mac Elwin's hand, "we were in the bustle of departure, so that all I know about you is that it was not chance which brought you on board the 'Great Eastern.' I must confess that if I have anything to do with your decision—"

"Undoubtedly, my dear fellow," interrupted Fabian; "Captain Corsican and I came to Liverpool with the intention of taking our berths on board the 'China,' a Cunard Steamer, when we heard that the 'Great Eastern' was going to attempt another passage from England to America; it was a chance we might not get again, and learning that you were on board I did not hesitate, as I had not seen you since we took that delightful trip in the Scandinavian States three years ago; so now you know how it was that the tender brought us here yesterday."