“Hullo, Larry! back again?” came from Captain Nat Ponsberry, a whole-souled skipper of the old New England school. “I had hardly expected to see you again afore I sailed.”
“My friend here wishes to have a talk with you, captain,” answered Larry. “He is Lieutenant Gilbert Pennington now of the regulars, but formerly of the volunteers. He served with my brother Ben.”
“Oh, yes! reckon as how I’ve heard tell of ye,” said Captain Ponsberry, as he extended a horny hand, as hard as it was honest. “Glad to know ye personally.”
“Perhaps you’ll think it strange I should come to you for information, captain,” said the young lieutenant. “But Larry tells me you are carrying for the Richmond Importing Company now.”
“Exactly.” And the skipper of the Columbia gazed questioningly at the speaker. “But this is my first trip; and I don’t know but that it may be my last, too.”
“And may I ask why you say it may be your last?”
“You may, since I’ve nothing to conceal on the p’int, lieutenant. Their price ain’t my price, thet’s all. I can make more money on my own hook.”
“The reason I have come to you is this: Years ago my father owned stock in the company. He died, and when my mother tried to get a settlement—well, they didn’t give her near as much as she expected.”
“I see.” Captain Ponsberry paused. “Well?”
“That was when I was only ten years old,—rather a long time ago. I’ve never had a chance to look into the claim, but I intend to do so now; and I want to know how the company stands, if you don’t mind telling me.”