“No doubt of that, though he has changed his rig. Pass the word for Mr. Peaks.”
Bill was not so far gone but that he understood the situation. He had boarded the American Prince, instead of the Princess Royal. The big boatswain of the steamer soon appeared, and laid his great paw on the culprit.
“Where did you come from, Stout?” asked the vice-principal.
“I came down with Mr. Lowington and the rest of them,” answered Bill; and his tongue seemed to be twice too big for his mouth.
Mr. Pelham sent for Mr. Fluxion, and they got out of the tipsy runaway all they could. They learned that the ship’s company of the Prince had just arrived. Bill Stout was caged; and the two vice-principals went on shore in the boat that was waiting for the “passenger for England.” They found Mr. Lowington at the Hotel Central. He was engaged just then in looking up Bill Stout; and he was glad to know that he was in a safe place.
CHAPTER XVIII.
AFRICA AND REPENTANCE.