This man, who seemed extremely talkative, approached the governor's guard, examined them a moment, and said with excessive volubility, "My orders are simply to prevent persons going toward the wharf, just now the Chameleon, and a fine vessel she is, belonging to Blue Beard, and which has bravely run down a Spanish pirate—came last night to the mooring."
"Sir, I beg you to silence this insupportable babbler," said the chevalier to Chemerant, "you must see how painful this scene is to me."
"You see, sir," said Chemerant to the lieutenant of marines, "the persons who are going to embark, do so under my personal responsibility. I am Chemerant, commissioner extraordinary to the king, and am furnished with full powers."
"Sir," said the lieutenant, "it is unnecessary to cite your authority; this escort is sufficient guarantee, and——"
"Then, sir, remove the order."
"Nothing is easier, sir; the order being now useless, it is useless to maintain it." "Thomas," cried this irrepressible talker to his subordinate, "you know the order that I gave you?"
"Which, lieutenant?"
"How! brainless one!"
"Sir, my time is valuable, I must return shortly to Fort Royal," said Chemerant.
The lieutenant continued, recklessly, "How! you have forgotten the order I gave you?"