The distant booming of artillery, the smoke enshrouding the old practice ship, the scores of bright flags fluttering from the masts, and the silent groups of uniformed men and cadets lined up on each side of the snowy decks formed an inspiriting scene--one to tarry long in the memory.
Clif with Joy, Trolley and Nanny were stationed at the after starboard broadside gun.
From where he stood Faraday could see the visitors grouped on the port side of the deck. He managed to catch a fleeting gleam from Juanita’s sparkling eyes, then his gaze wandered to a figure clad in the loudest of loud English checks.
The doughty Briton had dropped his eyeglass and was staring eagerly toward the gangway. To Clif, who was not more than fifteen feet away, his face seemed absolutely transfigured.
He no longer wore the vacuous, simpering expression, but into his face had crept an air of desperate determination so intense that Clif marveled at the sight.
“I say, Trolley,” he whispered to the Japanese youth, who stood next to him, “just look at that blooming Englishman.”
“No, but he seems greatly excited. That fellow is a mystery to me. I thought at first he was an empty-headed dude, but, by George, I believe he is playing a part.”
“What for?” queried Joy, who had overheard him.
“I don’t know,” replied Clif, “but I’ll keep my eyes on him just the same.”
“It’s a case of jealousy,” he said. “Clif doesn’t like the way he is hanging around Miss Windom.”
“If you knew her you would see the ridiculousness of your remark,” he retorted. “She----”
“Silence there,” sharply called out the gun captain. “Attention!”
There was a rattle of drums, a blare of bugles, then a stout, dark-featured man with a heavy, curled mustache and a full sweeping beard stepped down from the gangway.
The side was manned by a number of officers who raised their caps in a salute as the visitor passed them.
It was Dom Carlos the First, King of Portugal.
He was accompanied by a gayly uniformed suite composed of naval and military officers, but he, himself, was attired in simple civilian clothes.
Captain Brookes, at the head of his staff, advanced to meet the royal visitor. Bowing profoundly he uttered a few words of welcome and led the way toward the cabin.