Page:The Wreck of a World - Grove - 1890.djvu/106

90 till we come out t'other side? And that's why I say, and why we all says, the President's the man for our money.

The P.—Why really James, you must not give me too much credit. I only did what any other—a—brave man would have done under the circumstances.

B.—Well, sir, begging your pardon I must speak my mind. And I'll tell you what I heard the boss say when he thought he was alone with the two skippers—'I tell you what it is,' says he, 'if we three did what was right, we'd go straight to the President and beg him on our knees to take command of the squadron, and ask as a particular favour that we might sail with him as powder-monkeys.'

The P. (beaming)—Well James, as you've found me out it's no good being too modest. I am glad to have done what I did, and saved the ship, and perhaps the squadron, and I'd do it again, and shall do, maybe. But I seek no reward, except the applause of my conscience. And I wouldn't for the world turn out any of the captains. They are worthy sensible men, James, if they haven't got the pluck or the wits of some, and I shall always be happy to give them the