The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1900-11-30
CHAPTER XII.
II. NJ. s. vICTRIX.

By next morning l had resolved to
take the captain of the Chattahoochee
directly l saw him into my confidence.
He was an Englishman. The liner, al
though 1t had an American name, sail
ed under English colors. On her deck
l was on English ground, and thought
l might count on his protection. l was
taking too much for granted, as
soon found. The plainest truth does
not always prosper when it is contra.
dicted seemingly by we'll substantial.
ed lie.
l had not long to wait for my inter.
view with Captain Sherbornc. Instead
OF coming into the second cabin he sent
Tor me, and was led before him very
much like malcfactor, with @ steward
on one side Of me and QuartcrmastCr,
my friend of the previous night, on the
other. had the papers on me in an in
ner breast pocket.
/ was not taken to his own cabin On
the poop deck, but to the purser's in Il
central part of the ship, half cabin.
half office. and that officer was also In
attendance. The captain was square
set, weather beaten sailor man, very
bluff and CHEEKY, no doubt, when it so
pleased him, but his mottled red face
IN its fringe Of white whiskers could
shine fierce and forbidding as light
house through fog, and 1t did so Just
now.
You are the person calling yourself
Hardcastle who has been breaking the
ships rules by trespassing on the first
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 receipt / won't change
my cabin"
tossed couple of flyers 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 trcspass Is
only the smallest part. There has been
q robbery on board. 1t has been re-
ported to me this morning. and, and
"You suspect me?" He nodded. "On
what grounds, may l ask? l am enti-
tied to be told that"
81 shall tell you nothing am cap
tain Of this ship
But will not be so very long, I think
after this voyage, If you adopt such q
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, 81 am answerable to my employers.
not to you
"And, pardon me. to the public, OF
whom l 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 a 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 1 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
J when 1t suits me. Meanwhile I hold
yea peapensible"-