As a matter of fact, there were several tugboat-captains hardly less
skilful than Captain Barney, and in the time of his idleness they bade
fair to secure not a few of his customers. It was an old saying that
Captain Barney, touched in his pocket, was touched in his heart and
brain also--they meant to touch him in just those places.
"I see him this morning," said Duffy, "when he heard that Cap'n Jim
Skelly 'd come in on the bridge of the _Gypsum Prince_. He was
a-weepin' and cursin' like a drunk. Hereafter he'll have to divide the
_Gypsum_, and she arrives reg'lar, too."
"And he'll lose the _Kentigern_ to-night," laughed Dan. "Well, I don't
care. It'll do him good. I hope they put him out of business."
"Thankee, gents, for your Christmas wishes. I'm glad my friends are
with me." The words, in low, mournful cadence, came from the doorway;
and all eyes turning there saw the stout, melancholy figure of Captain
Barney, his great hooked nose falling dejectedly toward his chin, his
hawk eyes dull and sombre. He had been drinking; and as Duffy made as
though to throw a bottle at him, the fallen great man turned and
stumbled away.
A few minutes later Dan left the resort, faced the biting north wind,
and walked slowly up South Street. Somehow he could not get Captain
Barney out of his mind.
Pages:
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27