The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 1751: Chapter 80: The Great Sage Returns (Part 3)

”Clear up this nonsense!” Eld’s eyes widened: ”I’m going, I’m going, I’m going happily, let’s see who can stop me. I’m not only going, but I’m going dressed sharp and snappy, so old Tom and those bastards at the Navy Department can see clearly. I’m back, the great Eld Carter is back, with five years of nautical savings and gentlemanly manners, returned!”

”Fine.” Darwin shook his head, ”Then don’t blame me for not warning you.”

Eld tossed the razor to Darwin: ”Come on, Charles, attend to me, help shave the rest of my beard. Let the ladies in Leicester see, five years later, Mr. Eld Carter’s chin is still as smooth as it was five years ago.”

Darwin took the razor, ushered Eld to sit down with frustration: ”Alright, it’s the last time anyway. We’re short on time, don’t fidget, let’s quickly finish this.”

”Damn! Charles, you cut my chin! You damned baldy from Cambridge.”

”Shut up! Eld, do it yourself if you dare, you hopeless Leicester Square explorer.”

The two of them fussed for quite a while and finally managed to clean shave Eld’s ”mane.”

Just as Eld was about to pick up the mirror for a good look, he heard Colonel Fitzroy’s unequivocal shout from the deck: ”All hands to the deck! Prepare to dock! Now!”

Perhaps because they were about to arrive in London, Colonel Fitzroy was extraordinarily polite with his orders today, meticulous with his etiquette. Because usually, he would add at the end: ”Either get moving, or I’ll nail your asses to the deck as a weathervane!”

Eld pushed open the cabin door, took off with the speed he had when pursued by a puma in America, dragging Darwin’s neck-bound telescope as he rushed to the deck.

As he walked, he muttered: ”Is there a welcoming party at the dock? Did the Navy Department send a military band? Are there girls holding garlands waiting for me?”

The two rushed to the deck, only to find the fog over the Thames River had completely dissipated, the brick dock glimmered in the sun with a golden hue, bustling with crowds and lively scenes.

Eld’s eyes lit up, nostrils practically pointing skyward: ”I... damn, Arthur wasn’t lying to me! Charles, there’s no doubt we’re famous in London. These must all be readers of ’British,’ right? The Navy Department can’t pull off such a grand spectacle! These are definitely followers of Eld Carter and disciples of Charles Darwin.”

Darwin’s neck was red from the tight telescope, he was about to curse Eld, but hearing him say that, he too looked towards the dock.

It was a good thing not to look, for once he did, he was startled.

The section of the river between Greenwich and the Tower of London was almost packed with welcoming crowds.

The dock was adorned with colorful flags, rows of Guard Cavalry and infantry lined up in formation, their red and blue uniforms shining brightly in the sunlight.

Two snow-white horses pulled a ceremonial carriage along the riverbank, the gilded carriage was striking on the cleared street.

A temporary stand had been erected on the shore, and many gentlemen with feathered hats were perched on the steps, straining to see.

Even on the river, Thames River Police barges appeared, blocking in front of the Beagle, as if leading the way for them.

Eld’s face beamed with pride, his mouth almost splitting to his ears: ”Charles, see that? See that? What did I say? Welcoming party! Banners! Garlands! Drummers! And those girls, all dressed in white skirts, waving at me from afar! I told you, gold like me is bound to shine sooner or later.”