“I have no permit,” I replied.
“Monsieur,” said the Agent, “must be good enough to return to land, and get a permit from the port-captain.”
“You must really excuse me,” I remonstrated, “it is too far to return, and when I bought my ticket I ought to have been informed that it was necessary to obtain a permit.”
“The steamer cannot leave until you have received your permit,” insisted the agent.
“Then the steamer must remain,” I said coolly.
A whispered conference between the agent and his myrmidon now ensued.
“If Monsieur will not leave, the captain will be appealed to,” resumed the agent.
“Appeal to the captain,” was my calm but firm rejoinder.
“Monsieur must go at once,” said the agent with firmness, a decision which his myrmidon seemed ready to applaud.
“Monsieur will not go,” replied the passenger with equal firmness, which was greeted with applause by the other passengers.