The Irish standard., 1890-01-04


The captain opened the Office door and
smilingly saluted a clerk or two who sat
there. They only half-bowed to him.
The jolly officer wondered at their cool
ness, but pushed on without delay to-
ward the small inner Office of the head
of the firm.
John Perciyal sat there, his massive
frame bending over his desk.
'sGood morning, Mr.. Percival," be-
gan Captain Derwent in lis loud, CHEEKY
tone, 81 hurried up the bay a little in
advance of the EsperGns0, but
John Percival tossed his gray head as
soon as he heard the captains voice,
and sprang to his feet, glowering at his
visitor like an angry lion.
ssYou scoundrel!' he half roared and
half Kissed. ''Get out Of my office, or
you'll leave it at the toe Of my boot!
How dare you show your skulking face
in here? You've disgraced my line,
sir! disgraced your profession! disgraced
US ALP w..
ssBut-but-" began the poor captain,
II tell you, hold your tongue!" yelled
John Percival, growing angrier as he
proceeded. ssHaven't / heard, sir, how
you passed the Cdmbyses in mid ocean?
You heard their guns. you saw their
signal, and left them to shift for them
selves! You're a precious scoundrel,
that's what you are, Aleck nerwent!
Passing those poor fellows =" &c.,. .
"But-'' protested the captain again,
now quite as wrathy as his employer.
'Hold your tongue, tell your John
Percival went on, calming down not a
whit. "The Cambyses got in three hours
ago, and have heard their story. Get
out of my office, sir, and never let me
set eyes on you again!.'
He gave the muscular captain push
which sent him outside the door before
he knew what he was about, slammed
the door behind him. and bolted it loudly.
Captain Derwent made his way slowly
out to the street. He understood the
situation perfectly now. and knew that
it was only question Of time before the
short-sighted officers OF the CGMa6yses
should receive their deserts. But that
steamer would doubtless leave as soon
as she possibly could, and it was desir~
able to have the matter righted before
she got away. Up the harbor, not ten
minutes sail away, was steaming the
Esperansu, her flags all afoat and her
passengers leaning over the ratings.
The captain stood quietly on the dock
till she came up, and then he sought the
surgeon and mate, and told them Of the
perfdy of the Ca1zebyses. In a few mo-
ments the story was all over the ship.
Captain Derwent was very popular, and
every one was indignant that John Per-
cival should have accepted the inven-
tions of the Caznbyses without giving his
own men chance to present their side.
There were eighteen passengers on
board Of the Espera7l5n, and they all de-
clared that they wished they could tell
John Percival how the, case really
STOOD $50.
t'The office is close by, Captain Der
went,'' said enc of them; sit won't take
but moment. Let us all go with you.
John Percival can hardly refuse to &C.
cept such overwhelming testimony as
that"
''We'd thank you, captain, +" said the
engineer, touching his hat as he ap-
peared, rushing from his work and on
fire with the exciting news - ''wa'd
thank you if you would let us att go to
Mr.. Percival and back you up"
sit can't do amy harm, and will clear
up the matter quicker than any thing
else possibly can," said the mate.
Captain Derwent laughed.
cit certainly would he assented, and
in hubbub of enthusiasm the strange
procession started, leaving the ship in
charge of the cook and solutions. It
seemed as though all Terrapin came out
to stare at the sight as the Esperazso's
crew and passengers, vastly amused at
themselves, made their way toward
John Percival's Office. In a state Of IT.
resistible good-nature they broke open
the door and swarmed every nook and
corner of the larger outer room in which
dozen clerks were writing.
One of the passengers, who had been
selected as the spokesman, an Italian
nobleman of fine character and pres
ence, and personally acquainted with
John Percival, approached the still
bolted door Of the private office. 1t was
opened at his knock.
81 have come, my dear SIR began
the nobleman, bowling csurteously, ito
report to you the admirable fidelity of
the commanding officer Of the Espe-
9a1zG.s
The cholsric old man almost jumped
into the air.
s'What do you mean, sir? What do
you mean?v he cried, stsrnly.
The mass Of interested faces outside
his door just then caught John Per-
cival's eye, and he could not but Listen
to the truesstory OF the .Esperanzo's adj
venture with the Oans5yses. In the face
Of the overwhelming testimony pre-
scented there was nothing to do for the
doughty old man but to believe It, and
to tender a humble apology to Captain
Derwent.
The ofieersFof the Oam5yses were ar
rested just as they were getting up
steam to depart, and q letter was soon
on its way to her owners, which was
couched in such terms that it brought a
large payment to the Grapnel Line for
ttowage and for assistance rendered.
As portion Of this money was divided
anon the crew OF the EsDeranz0 they