The Princeton union., 1900-12-06
CHAPTER XII.
H. NJ. S. VICTRIX,

by next morning l had resolved to
take the captain of the Chattahoochee
directly saw him into my confidence.
He was an Englishman. The liner, al.
though it had an American name, sail
ed under English colors. On her deck
was on English ground, and I thought
might count on his protection. I was
taking too much for granted, as l
soon found. The plainest truth does
not always prosper when it is contra
dicted seemingly by we'll substantial
ed lie.
had not long to wait for my inter-
view with Captain Sherborne Instead
of coming into the second cabin he sent
TOR me, and was led before him very
much like malefactor, with steward
on one side of me and quartermaster,
my friend of the previous night, on the
other. l had the papers on me in an in
ner breast pocket.
l was not taken to his own cabin on
the poop deck, but to the pursers in a
central part of the ship, half cabin,
half office, and that officer was also in
attendance. The captain was a square
set, weather beaten sailor man, very
bluff and CHEEKY, no doubt, when it so
pleased him. but his notified red face
in it's fringe Of white whiskers could
shine fierce and forbidding as light
house through fog, and it did so lust
now.
"You are the person calling yourself
Hardcastle who has been breaking the
NJ fpnc
saloon accommodation? saw you my
SELF"
II admit it. What is the penalty? To
pay first cabin fare, presume? Then,
Mr.. Purser, take the necessary amount
and give me a receipt. I won't change
my cabin
l tossed a couple Of fvers on to the
little table in front of which the skip
per sat, and the purser, little, old,
spare gentleman with long white
beard. took the money up, but looked
at the captain doubtfully.
Stay, stay. my fine fellow. It's not
going to end like that. The trespass is
only the smallest part. There has been
robbery on board. 1t has been re-
ported to me this morning. and, and"-
"You suspect me-" He nodded "On
tied to be told that"
II shall tell you nothing. am cap
tain of this ship
'But will rot be so very long, l think,
after this voyage, if you adopt such a
high handed and unwarrantable course
as to accuse passenger Of theft, yet
give him no reason for it,"
This shot told. His fiery eyes falter-
ed for a moment, and there was less
assurance in his voice when he went
on, II am answerable to my employers.
not to you"-
And, pardon me. to the public, Of
whom am one, and to the British gov
ernment, whom l represent, Captain
Sherborne.'
His jaw fell, and he looked rather
helplessly at the purser, who stopped
over and whispered few words in his
ear. They only seemed to still further
stir up his bile and more sturdily vindi-
cate his authority.
'By heaven" he shouted, "I'll not be
bounced by every longshore scallywag
that chooses to face me out with thun-
dering lies! On board my own ship too!
British government be hanged! What
have to do with it in midatlantic and
with so fathoms of blue water under
my keel? Besides, it's what you say.
How are we to know it's true? You ad-
mitted you were sailing under false
colors. What's your real name?"
That moment had intended to tell
him everything, but now did not trust
his discretion.
"You shall know all in good time
when it suits me. Meanwhile l hold
you responsible"-
"Yah! You're worse than a sea law
yer, tacking and veering all round the
compass: Answer my question. Did
you steal those papers?'
"What papers? Whose?
'The dukes, Terry Grada's, you
know. You were seen near his state
room.''
THAT'S untrue, for l never went
there and don't know where it is. But
as for the papers Well, yes, have
them here"-I touched my pocket
"and mean to keep them"
The skipper all but bounded from his
chair. II think you must be stark,
staring mad; raging lunatic, no less.
Ishall have to clap you in irons and
send you down for safety to Sand al