“I am perfectly aware of that, Captain Kelson,” said he. “I know that I can’t stay here on board, and I doubt if I shall ever be much more use as an officer of a ship; but there is one thing I must do before I leave the ship, and that is to warn you against putting too much trust in Mr. Robinson!”
“Why, Mr. King! what is the matter with him? He is a good sailor, and he appears to carry on the duty very well!”
“Oh yes, sir, he is a good sailor-man; no one can deny that; but I don’t trust him. He has too much palaver with the men. I am sure there is something wrong about him. What it is, unfortunately, I don’t know; I wish I did. But you are a younger man than I am, captain, and more confiding in your nature. Now I beg of you not to put too much confidence in Mr. Robinson!”
I thought it quite possible that this was merely prejudice on the part of my mate, increased by his anxiety at leaving the ship, so to ease his mind I said: “Oh, well, Mr. King, I will keep my eye on him, and I shall hope that you will soon be able to return to duty again. Now keep yourself perfectly quiet and get well as quickly as possible.”
After sending my mate on shore, I made Mr. Robinson, who seemed to be doing very well, chief mate temporarily, and put one of my best men in charge of the second mate’s watch. Engaging lighters, I then commenced discharging my cargo, which, as the goods I had happened to be in demand, sold rapidly and to excellent advantage. But when it came to arranging for my cargo of copper, I found that it would be necessary for me to make a visit to the capital, Santiago, to confer with the authorities in regard to a permit for export.
Accordingly I made arrangements with my consignees in Valparaiso to keep an oversight on my ship; and after leaving very strict orders with Mr. Robinson in regard to the care of the vessel, I started on horseback for Santiago.
With the positive genius for delay that characterizes Spanish American officials, I was detained at the capital for several weeks, badgered about from one department to another; but at last I succeeded in obtaining the desired permit, and returned to Valparaiso.
As I dismounted from my horse in the courtyard of my hotel, I met my good friend Don José Altimara. “Ah!” said he, “I am glad that you have returned. All your goods are sold and well sold. Have you obtained your permit to export copper?”
I told him of my various trials and final success.
“That is well. But tell me, why have you sent your ship away so suddenly? I fear you will have trouble with the authorities, as you had no clearance papers.”