“Who spoke?” he said.
“It was I,” said an officer who had been watching him. “I merely wished to beg the favour of one cigar from you.”
“Ah ha!” said San Martin smiling good-naturedly with an assumed look of reproach. And at once he tossed his chosen cigar to the officer.
Duty Before the General
At another time, San Martin was entertaining a visitor on board a schooner. While they were walking up and down, the sailors began to swab the deck.
“What a plague it is,” said San Martin, “that these fellows will insist on washing their decks at this rate.” Then turning to one of the men, he said, “I wish, my friend, you would not wet us here, but go to the other side.”
The sailor, who had his duty to perform and who was too well accustomed to the General’s gentle manner, went on with his work, and soundly splashed him and his guest.
“I am afraid,” cried San Martin, “we must go below, although our cabin is but a miserable hole! For really there is no persuading these fellows to go out of their usual way.”
Captain Basil Hall and Other Sources (Retold)