PREFACE


"Across India" is the first volume of the third series of the
"All-Over-the-World Library," in which the voyage of the Guardian-Mother is
continued from Aden, where some important changes were made in the current
of events, including the disposal of the little steamer Maud, which figured
to a considerable extent in the later volumes of the library, though they
also comprehended the addition of another and larger consort to the ship,
in which the distinguished Pacha, as a reformed and entirely reconstructed
person, sails in company with the voyagers.

A few days out from the port of departure, a stirring event, a catastrophe
of the sea, adds three very important personages to the cabin passengers of
the Guardian-Mother, and affords two of the "live boys" an opportunity to
distinguish themselves in a work of humanity requiring courage and skill.
These additions to the company prove to be a very fortunate acquisition to
the party; for they are entirely familiar with everything in and relating
to India. They are titled individuals, two of the trio, who have not only
travelled all over the peninsula, but have very influential relations with
the officers of the government, and the native princes, rajahs, kings,
maharajahs, and nobles.

The commander, the professor, the surgeon, the young millionaire, and
others who have hitherto given the "talks" and lectures for the instruction
of the young people, and incidentally of the older ones also, find
themselves almost entirely relieved from duty in this direction by those
whom the ship's company have saved from inevitable death in the stormy
billows of the Arabian Sea. The gratitude of the two titled members of the
trio, and their earnest appreciation of the educational object of the long