Our boys in India . he quaint out-line as they crept through the forest of boats, and at lasthe was interested in every thing. This was the land towardwhich all his hopes were turned; and he eagerly drank inevery item, that he might the more rapidly become acquaintedwith it all. The steamer was delayed in waiting for a pilot, for thepilots of Bombay are a very independent set of fellows. Theyll come when they get good and ready, and notbefore, remarked the captain grufily, as he stood watchingfor their light. Why is that? asked Scott. I should think they wouldwant the job. So they might, said
Our boys in India . he quaint out-line as they crept through the forest of boats, and at lasthe was interested in every thing. This was the land towardwhich all his hopes were turned; and he eagerly drank inevery item, that he might the more rapidly become acquaintedwith it all. The steamer was delayed in waiting for a pilot, for thepilots of Bombay are a very independent set of fellows. Theyll come when they get good and ready, and notbefore, remarked the captain grufily, as he stood watchingfor their light. Why is that? asked Scott. I should think they wouldwant the job. So they might, said the captain: but theres a clubof them; and they all get their percentage, no matter whotakes in the ship. 76 OUR BOYS IN INDIA. Then, why dont you go in yourself, and cheat the wholeof them? said Scott. Thats what Id do. Id have to pay the pilot-fee all the same, as soon as Icame to anchor, replied the captain. And then, if I didany damage to myself or any one else, Id be well punishedfor it by the court. Thats COAST OF BOMBAY. And quite enough, observed Scott. Then the pilot-boatappeared. Theyve stocked their lockers, and now theyll take usin, said the captain as he went on deck, meaning that theyhad waited to finish supper before coming out. Slowly, very slowly, the steamer crept up, and roundedthe point, when suddenly all the lights of the circling citycame into view, extending for several miles away in the SCOTT IN THE MYSTERIES OF INDIA. 77 distance. All over the water, too, were the lights of almostinnumerable ships; for Bombay is the great importation portof India. No sooner were the papers signed than the decks wereswarming with all kinds of natives. There were half-nakedboatmen, dingi wallahs in scores, wrangling for an oppor-tunity to carry them ashore; for the tide rises seventeen feetsometimes in Bombay, and it is impossible to make the finestone wharves available for the larger steamers. Minglingwith them were very polite and loquacious hotel clerks, withthe
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