"Tell the captain that I have business with him."
The marine disappeared, and soon returned with a request that he would walk into the cabin. The captain was seated at his table, writing; but, as the mate entered, he dropped his pen, turned in his chair, and waited for him to make known his wants[Period Missing? P2]
"Captain," began Mr. French, hesitatingly, for he scarcely knew how to commence the conversation, "I—I—I—have been reading the navy regulations, and I find that I have been abused."
"Who has abused you, sir?"
"Well, you see, sir," began the mate——
"I asked you who had been abusing you, sir," interrupted the captain. "Answer my question, and make your explanations afterward."
"Well, sir, to come to the point, you have abused me, sir."
The captain started back in surprise, and looked at the mate for several moments, as if to make sure that he was in his right mind, and then quietly asked:
"How have I abused you, sir?"
"In reprimanding me, sir. The navy regulations distinctly state that a commanding officer has no right to use harsh words to his subordinates; and I demand an apology."