Scott rang the bell, and the Maud went ahead to the discomfiture of the boats, and the little steamer was made fast to the big one. Louis and Morris went on board, and were warmly received by their mothers. The passengers had descended from the promenade, and were seated under the awning, where the professor was to speak to them about Turkey.
CHAPTER XXXVI
THE CITY OF THE SULTAN
Pitts and the engineers remained on board of the Maud, but the rest of her ship's company repaired to the deck of the Guardian-Mother, where the captain and the professor were to tell them something about Turkey. They had been studying geography all the time, and they had obtained a better knowledge of the countries visited than it would be possible to get from books and maps. History was to be mingled with it so far as practicable. The regular class in the library, consisting of Miss Blanche and the big four, were present, for their instruction was one of the principal purposes of the voyage round the world.
"I suppose you all know where you are," said Captain Ringgold, rising from his chair.
"In a horn," replied Felix.
"That is the standard joke of this locality, and I heard it thirty-four years ago when lying at anchor where we are now," replied the commander.
"I thought it would be as fresh and new as though it just came out of Kilkenny," added the Milesian.
"No; it is a chestnut. But why is it called the Golden Horn?"
"Because that's the best sort of a horn to be in," answered Felix.