The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-09-12

AS the steward of the vessel, assisted
by several native caterers, completed
the arrangements for the banquet the
captain emerged from his cabin and
walked toward the gangway. He was
just in time to greet n party of ladies
and gentlemen whose boat he had
heard tou CHI the side.
1t was Il motley procession that
poured over the rail.
There was the European merchant
in conventional evening dress, accom-
panied by wife and daughters arrayed
in the richest attire.
Then came the Hindoo banker, state
ly in his magnificent robes and turban,
glittcring with costly gems. Next fol-
lowed the Mohammedan, perhaps a
little less gaudily dressed than his
predecessor, yet presenting fine APP
pearance, while the Parsee in his long,
conical, bishop-shaped hat, flowing
cloak of figured satin, and wide sillxcn
trousers, came next to the feast to do
honor to the American captain.
Each guest was followed by his own
servant, whose duty it was to wait on
his master, and him alone. To novice
the arrangement at table would have
seemed very strange, but in this land
of caste it excited no comment. Each
sect took their allotted places at the
festal board, while before the group of
Ilindoos were laid utensils that had
never been touched, save by people of
their own kind, and the contents of the
various dishes were wholly of the veg
ctablc kingdom and had not been de-
filed by contact with the hand of either
Mussclman or Christian.
There is one matter that puzzles
me, captain" observed a fine-lool<ing
European gentleman, who was seated
ut the left hand of the host, land that
is why you, an American, should have
named this floating palace of yours
The Rajah's Treasurer 1t certainly
sounds oriental, and is very pleasing to
our cars"
ut is, indeed, oriental" was the re-
ply, ''and the reason for the ship bear
ing this name is because my possession
of her is due to an oriental; that is,
primarily.s
''It may not be fitting for me to re-
late the narrative at this time" began
the captain, alphabetically, "for it
might call some unpleasant memories
to many of my respected guests, as 1t
touches upon the dark days of India
which you all SO we'll remember"
Tho Capt. Sahib need have no fear
of wounding the feelings of his scrv-
ants" remarked one of the IIindoos
present
"Thcn will tell you," went on the
captain, "for it is an interesting story
l was a poor orphan lad in my own
country, and was forced to turn to the
sea us means of livelihood. Slowly,
very slowly, l crawled up the ladder of
my chosen profession until l reached
the position of chief officer, and in such
capacity 1 have visited these shores
many times.
at was on one voyage when had be-
come almost discouraged and begun to
feel that was destined to live and die
mate that something most singular
happened to me. On leaving Boston
with Il cargo of rice for this port the
captain informed me that we had
among our men man whom he had
allowed to work his passage to Cal
cutta, remarlling ut C same time:
lie is one, think, who has seen bet
ter days, and l wish you would make
things MS easy for him as tho discipline
of the ship will allow"
Captain, 1 pray YOU" broke in
military-loolSing gentleman who was
seated on the speakers right hand, do
not continue"
''I,ut, colonel, our friends are anxious
for the story" was the reply, which,
however, was heard only by few
present Then aloud: 'At the first
opportunity, when we'll out to sen,
had long talk with the man who had
taken this means to reach his home in
the east. That he was true gentle
man / saw ut Il glance, and was much
interested in that part of his history
which he saw fit to reveal to me-
81 shielded him from the hardships
of sailors life rs much as lay in my
power, for | felt gricved to find man
fitted to fill an exalted position brought
to such n strait and that too by circum-
stances over which he had no control.
The scamcn, however, did not take
kindly to their more delicate shipmatc,
and am afraid that many times dur
ing the passage, unknown to me, they
succeeded in making his life miserable.
>'Onc night when about a weeks sail
from the mouth of the river IIooghly l
was startled by the cry of man over
board" and hurrying to the rail OF the
vessel, looked over the side, and saw