“That’s all very well; and I think you are right this time, Tom, if you never were before,” answered O’Hara. “But am I to make a distinction between the enforcement of my own orders and those of the powers above me? If I tell the officer of the deck, and it happens to be Gregory or Clinch, to stop the engine, am I to explain that this is the order of the senior vice-principal, and not my own? or, if it should be my own, to argue that it is all right?”
“Certainly not; nothing of the kind! I said in the beginning that this was a matter of magnanimity, and not of right. Your orders are to be obeyed without a question on the part of any one on board; not even Capt. Fairfield or Mr. Shakings having the right to object.”
“I see: I understand you perfectly, Tom, my darlint; and I am much obliged to you for the trouble you have taken to say all this. Give me your flipper! I like you betther than ever, if you are a millionnaire; for it’s a good friend that will point out another’s faults.”
“I don’t point out your faults, O’Hara. I am afraid, if I were the commander of this steamer, I should be a little ‘airy;’ and I was dreading lest you might be, though, upon my honor, I haven’t seen any thing of the kind in you.”
“It’s moighty aisy y’are on me, Tom; and I believe I have been airy; but, upon my sowl, I’ll never do it again! I like you better than if you had given me the half of your three millions; and I wish you were the captain of the steamer, instead of myself.”
“Nonsense, captain! You are ten times as fit to command her as I am; and I am glad it is as it is.”
“Whisht!”
“Vessel dead ahead!” shouted the lookout, on the jib-boom of the steamer, where the officer of the deck had sent him when the bell began to be heard very distinctly on the forecastle of the steamer.
The officer of the deck hastily repeated the cry, and ordered the quartermaster to put the helm hard down. At the same time he rushed into the pilot-house, and rang the speed-bell for the engine to “slow down.”
“Can you make her out?” said the captain, gazing into the dense fog ahead.