Part 38 (2/2)

With a sc.r.a.pe of the foot, and such a bow as only a negro can make, the old cook marched off with his fortune; and I have no doubt at once invested it in a grand, underground oyster-cellar.

The other sailors, after counting their cash very carefully, and seeing all was right, and not a bank-note was dog-eared, in which case they would have demanded another: for they are not to be taken in and cheated, your sailors, and they know their rights, too; at least, when they are at liberty, after the voyage is concluded:--the sailors also salaamed, and withdrew, leaving Harry and me face to face with the Paymaster-general of the Forces.

We stood awhile, looking as polite as possible, and expecting every moment to hear our names called, but not a word did we hear; while the captain, throwing aside his accounts, lighted a very fragrant cigar, took up the morning paper--I think it was the Herald--threw his leg over one arm of the chair, and plunged into the latest intelligence from all parts of the world.

I looked at Harry, and he looked at me; and then we both looked at this incomprehensible captain.

At last Harry hemmed, and I sc.r.a.ped my foot to increase the disturbance.

The Paymaster-general looked up.

”Well, where do you come from? Who are you, pray? and what do you want?

Steward, show these young gentlemen out.”

”I want my money,” said Harry.

”My wages are due,” said I.

The captain laughed. Oh! he was exceedingly merry; and taking a long inspiration of smoke, removed his cigar, and sat sideways looking at us, letting the vapor slowly wriggle and spiralize out of his mouth.

”Upon my soul, young gentlemen, you astonish me. Are your names down in the City Directory? have you any letters of introduction, young gentlemen?”

”Captain Riga!” cried Harry, enraged at his impudence--”I tell you what it is, Captain Riga; this won't do--where's the rhino?”

”Captain Riga,” added I, ”do you not remember, that about four months ago, my friend Mr. Jones and myself had an interview with you in this very cabin; when it was agreed that I was to go out in your s.h.i.+p, and receive three dollars per month for my services? Well, Captain Riga, I have gone out with you, and returned; and now, sir, I'll thank you for my pay.”

”Ah, yes, I remember,” said the captain. ”Mr. Jones! Ha! ha! I remember Mr. Jones: a very gentlemanly gentleman; and stop--you, too, are the son of a wealthy French importer; and--let me think--was not your great-uncle a barber?”

”No!” thundered I.

”Well, well, young gentleman, really I beg your pardon. Steward, chairs for the young gentlemen--be seated, young gentlemen. And now, let me see,” turning over his accounts--”Hum, hum!--yes, here it is: Wellingborough Redburn, at three dollars a month. Say four months, that's twelve dollars; less three dollars advanced in Liverpool--that makes it nine dollars; less three hammers and two sc.r.a.pers lost overboard--that brings it to four dollars and a quarter. I owe you four dollars and a quarter, I believe, young gentleman?”

”So it seems, sir,” said I, with staring eyes.

”And now let me see what you owe me, and then well be able to square the yards, Monsieur Redburn.”

Owe him! thought I--what do I owe him but a grudge, but I concealed my resentment; and presently he said, ”By running away from the s.h.i.+p in Liverpool, you forfeited your wages, which amount to twelve dollars; and as there has been advanced to you, in money, hammers, and sc.r.a.pers, seven dollars and seventy-five cents, you are therefore indebted to me in precisely that sum. Now, young gentleman, I'll thank you for the money;” and he extended his open palm across the desk.

”Shall I pitch into him?” whispered Harry.

I was thunderstruck at this most unforeseen announcement of the state of my account with Captain Riga; and I began to understand why it was that he had till now ignored my absence from the s.h.i.+p, when Harry and I were in London. But a single minute's consideration showed that I could not help myself; so, telling him that he was at liberty to begin his suit, for I was a bankrupt, and could not pay him, I turned to go.

Now, here was this man actually turning a poor lad adrift without a copper, after he had been slaving aboard his s.h.i.+p for more than four mortal months. But Captain Riga was a bachelor of expensive habits, and had run up large wine bills at the City Hotel. He could not afford to be munificent. Peace to his dinners.

”Mr. Bolton, I believe,” said the captain, now blandly bowing toward Harry. ”Mr. Bolton, you also s.h.i.+pped for three dollars per month: and you had one month's advance in Liverpool; and from dock to dock we have been about a month and a half; so I owe you just one dollar and a half, Mr. Bolton; and here it is;” handing him six two-s.h.i.+lling pieces.

”And this,” said Harry, throwing himself into a tragical att.i.tude, ”this is the reward of my long and faithful services!”

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