Part 25 (1/2)
Here an elderly man, in yachting dress, stepped forward out of a group of sailors at the waist of the craft.
”This schooner is chartered to convey--” he began, but Eph interposed, politely:
”Pardon me, sir, but I am talking with the captain only.”
Then, turning toward the launch, Ensign Somers called:
”Corporal, board with your marines, and wait further orders.”
Then Eph followed the captain below.
”The gentleman who spoke to you,” explained Varia's master, ”is Dr.
Herman Barnard. He chartered the 'Varia' at New York for a West Indian cruise for himself and his family. Here are my papers, as master. Here is the 'Varia's' license to carry pa.s.sengers, and here are our clearance papers, from New York to Jamaica.”
The papers were all in regular order. Eph looked them over, noting that the master's name was Walford.
”I don't see anything wrong here, Captain Walford,” Eph continued.
”Where is your list of pa.s.sengers?”
”Here, sir.”
Eph glanced over the list, noting that besides Dr. Barnard, there were five other men pa.s.sengers, besides Mrs. Barnard, her two daughters and one other woman.
”I shall have to ask you, Captain, to line your pa.s.sengers up on deck,”
Eph continued.
”I had hoped to escape that annoyance, sir,” protested the schooner's master. ”The ladies were alarmed, and took to their staterooms.”
”I am very sorry, Captain,” Eph insisted, ”but I must look over the pa.s.sengers.”
”Very good, then,” sighed Captain Walford.
”And muster the crew forward. I must see on deck every person on this craft.”
”Very good, sir.”
Eph returned to deck, leaning against the starboard rail of the quarter deck. Below, he heard some sounds of remonstrance in feminine voices.
Then, as a step sounded on the after companionway, and Eph straightened up, he heard a woman's voice say:
”United States Navy? I would call this a good deal more like piracy!”
”But, mamma--”
”Hush, child!”
Mrs. Barnard, when she stepped on deck, looked as severe as her husband appeared mild.
Ensign Eph doffed his cap quickly to the ladies.
”I know this does not please you,” he said, courteously, ”but I will ask you to remember that I am acting under orders, and have no choice.”