Кінець рабства
V
Ultimatelyeveryhitchintheportcameintohishandstoundo.Theywouldmisshimwhenhewasgoneinanothereighteenmonths,andmostlikelysomeretirednavalofficerhadbeenpitchforkedintotheappointment—amanthatwouldunderstandnothingandcareless.ThatsteamerwasacoastingcrafthavingasteadytradeconnectionasfarnorthasTenasserim;butthetroublewasshecouldgetnocaptaintotakeheronherregulartrip.Nobodywouldgoinher.Hereallyhadnopower,ofcourse,toorderamantotakeajob.Itwasallverywelltostretchapointonthedemandofaconsul-general,but...
“What’sthematterwiththeship?”CaptainWhalleyinterruptedinmeasuredtones.
“Nothing’sthematter.Soundoldsteamer.Herownerhasbeeninmyofficethisafternoontearinghishair.”
“Isheawhiteman?”askedWhalleyinaninterestedvoice.
“Hecallshimselfawhiteman,”answeredtheMaster-Attendantscornfully;“butifso,it’sjustskin-deepandnomore.Itoldhimthattohisfacetoo.”
“Butwhoishe,then?”
“He’sthechiefengineerofher.Seethat,Harry?”
“Isee,”CaptainWhalleysaidthoughtfully.“Theengineer.Isee.”
Howthefellowcametobeashipowneratthesametimewasquiteatale.Hecameoutthirdinahomeshipnearlyfifteenyearsago,CaptainEliottremembered,andgotpaidoffafterabadsortofrowbothwithhisskipperandhischief.Anyway,theyseemedjollygladtogetridofhimatallcosts.Clearlyamutinoussortofchap.
