Blow the Man Down - A Romance of the Coast
Page 126"Compliments to Captain Trott, and tell him that Captain Mayo is at the
gangway."
The skipper appeared promptly, replying to the hail before the sailor
had stirred. "Come aboard, sir."
"I'll not bother you that much, captain. I can ask my question just as
well from here. Do you know of any good opening for a man of my size?"
The captain of the Sprite came to the rail and did not reply promptly.
"I have left the Olenia and I'm looking for something."
Captain Trott started for the gangway. "Oh, you needn't trouble to come
down, sir."
"I'd rather, Captain Mayo." After he had descended he squatted on the
gunwale. "What are you doing for yourself these days?"
Mayo had no relish for a long story. "I'm waiting to grab in on
something," he replied.
Captain Trott did not show any alacrity in getting to the subject which
Mayo had broached. "It has set in pretty thick, hasn't it? I have been
ordered in here to wait for my folks; they're visiting at some big
estate up-river."
"But about the chance for a job, captain!"
"Look here! What kind of a run-in did you have with the Olenia owner?"
Mayo opened his mouth and then promptly closed it. He could not reveal
"We had words," he said, stiffly.
"Yes, I reckon so! But the rest of it!"
"That's all."
"You needn't tell me any more than you feel like doing, of course," said
Captain Trott. "But I have to tell you that Mr. Marston has come out
with some pretty fierce talk for an owner to make. He has made quite a
business of circulating that talk. I didn't realize that you are of so
much importance in the world, Mayo," he added, dryly.
"I don't know what he is saying."
"Didn't you leave him in the night--without notice, or something of the
"It was an accident."
"I hope you have a good story to back you up, Captain Mayo, for I have
liked you mighty well ever since meeting you first. What is behind it?"
"I can't tell you."
"But you can tell somebody--somebody who can straighten the thing out
for you, can't you?"
"No, Captain Trott."