I then took Marble below, and related to him all that had occurred since the separation. He listened with the deepest interest, manifesting the strongest sympathy in our success. Nothing but expressions of gratification escaped him, until I remarked, as I concluded my account—
“And here is the old ship for you, sir, just as we lost her; and glad am I to see her once more in so good hands.”
“Who put that bloody poop on her, you or the Frenchman, Miles?”
“The Frenchman. Now it is peace, however, it is no great matter; and the cabin is very convenient for the Major and his daughter.”
“It's just like 'em! Spoiling the neatest quarter-deck on the ocean, with a bloody supernumerary cabin!”
“Well, sir, as you are master now, you can have it all cut away again, if you think proper.”
“I! I cut away anything! I take the command of this ship from the man who has so fairly won it! If I do, may I be d——d!”
“Captain Marble! You astonish me by this language, sir; but it is nothing more than a momentary feeling, of which your own good sense—nay, even your duty to the owners—will cause you to get rid.”
“You never were more mistaken in your life, Master Miles Wallingford,” answered Marble, solemnly. “I thought of all this the moment I recognised the ship, and that was as soon as I saw her; and my mind was made up from that instant. I cannot be so mean as to come in at the seventh hour, and profit by your courage and skill. Besides, I have no legal right to command here. The ship was more than twenty-four hours in the enemy's hands, and she comes under the usual laws of recapture and salvage.”
“But the owners, Captain Marble—remember there is a cargo to be taken in at Canton, and there are heavy interests at stake.”