Page:Works of Jules Verne - Parke - Vol 7.djvu/140

120 you to the hold for the rest of the passage, to teach you manners."

Thus saying, the captain dismissed the American, who went off murmuring, "Ah, well, I am not altogether displeased with this conversation: at any rate, the affair is broached; it will do, it will do!"

James Playfair had hardly meant it when he said an Abolitionist whom I detest; he did not in the least side with the Federals, but he did not wish to admit that the question of slavery was the predominant reason for the civil war of the United States, in spite of President Lincoln's formal declaration. Did he then think that the Southern States, eight out of thirty-six, were right in separating when they had been voluntarily united? Not so; he detested the Northerners, and that was all; he detested them as brothers separated from the common family—true Englishmen—who had thought it right to do what he, James Playfair, disapproved of with regard to the United States: these were the political opinions of the captain of the Dolphin. But more than this, the American war interfered with him personally, and he had a grudge against those who had caused this war; one can understand then, how he would receive a proposition to deliver an Abolitionist, thus bringing down on him the Confederates, with whom he intended to do business.

However, Crockston's insinuation did not fail to disturb him, he cast the thought from him, but it returned unceasingly to his mind, and when Miss Jenny came on deck the next day for a few minutes, he dared not look her in the face.

And really it was a great pity, for this young girl with the fair hair and sweet, intelligent face deserved to be looked at by a young man of thirty. But James felt embarrassed in her presence; he felt that this charming creature who had been educated in the school of misfortune possessed a strong and generous soul; he understood that his silence towards her inferred a refusal to acquiesce in her dearest wishes; besides, Miss Jenny never looked out for James Playfair. neither did she avoid him. Thus for the first few days they spoke little or not at all to each other. Miss Halliburrt scarcely ever left her cabin, and it is certain she would never have addressed herself to the captain of the Dolphin if it