Page:The ebb-tide - a trio and quartette (IA ebb00tidetrioquartstevrich).pdf/227

 'How do you know his name is William John?' asked Davis.

'Saw it on a packing case,' said Huish. 'Got that?'

'No,' said Davis. 'But there's another thing. What are we to write?'

'O my golly!' cried the exasperated Huish. 'Wot kind of man do you call yourself? I'm goin' to tell you wot to write; that's my pitch; if you'll just be so bloomin' condescendin' as to write it down! William John Attwater, Esq., Sir:' he reiterated. And the captain at last beginning half mechanically to move his pen, the dictation proceeded: '''It is with feelings of shyme and 'artfelt contrition that I approach you after the yumiliatin' events of last night. Our Mr. 'Errick has left the ship, and will have doubtless communicated to you the nature of our 'opes. Needless to s'y, these are no longer possible: Fate 'as declyred against us, and we bow the 'ead. Well awyre as I am of the just suspicions with w'ich I am regarded, I do not venture to solicit the fyvour of an interview for myself, but in order to put an end to a situytion w'ich must be equally pyneful to all, I 'ave deputed my friend and partner, Mr J. L. Huish, to l'y before you my proposals, and w'ich by their moderytion, will, I trust, be found to''