“These men are your servants. I don’t have servants at my table.”
“They are not my servants. They, like myself, are in the employ of Mr. Saunders, of Bombay.”
“I don’t know Mr. Saunders.”
“Perhaps not; but I do. I know that unless these gentlemen are treated with proper respect and consideration he will refuse to pay the sum he has contracted to give your owners.”
“I am an English captain, and do not care to meet common men on an equality.”
“These men whom you call common are as good as you or myself. One of them is the brother-in-law of Captain Grover; the other is his friend. But, above all, they are American citizens, and as such are entitled to respect.”
“I haven’t much respect for a Yankee,” muttered the captain.
“I won’t argue with you on that point, though I am myself a Yankee,” returned Guy. “I will, however, call your attention to the contract I made with your owners, the Messrs. Gray. It is expressly stated that these men are to be received as first-class passengers, and to be treated as such. Will you be kind enough to cast your eyes over this document?”
Captain Richmond reluctantly took from Guy’s hand the paper he extended to him, and looked over it.
It was as Guy had stated. Titcomb and Clark were designated as first-class passengers, and were to be treated as such.