Jack strolled out to see something of the capital, which stood on low ground, and he found a barrack filled with European troops. The soldiers greeted him cheerily, but not being able to speak their language all efforts to make themselves understood failed. The natives were all of a light-brown complexion, and although small and slight of build their movements were graceful.
At five o'clock that evening Captain Thorne returned to the hotel, and Jack could scarcely believe that the stylishly-dressed people beginning to appear were those whom he had seen in such careless, if comfortable, attire earlier in the day. But such was the fact. All of them were decked out in the latest home fashion, and having finished their coffee they all drove out to enjoy the cool evening breeze, or leave cards on friends.
At nine o'clock dinner was served. At its conclusion Jack believed that his short spell of 'liberty' had ended.
'Fetch your gear, Clewlin,' the old man said. 'Bear a hand.'
On returning to the vestibule he found a Java car and three ponies standing before the door.
'Come here, boy,' the skipper exclaimed, and then, turning toward a friend, added, 'This is the lad I spoke of, Sergeant. Do you see any resemblance?'
The gentleman thus addressed took Jack's hand, and by the strong light from the hotel peered in his face.
'Yes, very considerable,' he replied. 'I am glad to make your acquaintance, Jack,' he continued. 'Of course, you do not know me. Well, my son, years ago I sailed in a barque as her supercargo, and your father was her first mate. I only escaped drowning by the merest accident. I left her the voyage before she was lost in the China Sea.'
'Was that the "Isabella," sir?' Jack inquired.
'Yes,' replied Mr. Sergeant, who was the barque's agent. 'Did your father tell you about it?'