“Decidedly there is,” replied the captain, gruffly; “and it will not be permitted.”
“Why not?” I asked, in astonishment.
“It is against the rules of the ship.”
“What! to have religious services on board?”
“There have been religious services once to-day, and that is enough. If the passengers do not think that is good enough, let them go without,” was the captain’s hasty and austere reply.
“Captain,” I replied, “do you pretend to say you will not allow a respectable and well-known clergyman to offer a prayer and hold religious services on board your ship at the request of your passengers?”
“That, sir, is exactly what I say. So, now, let me hear no more about it.”
By this time a dozen passengers were crowding around his door, and expressing their surprise at his conduct. I was indignant, and used sharp language.
“Well,” said I, “this is the most contemptible thing I ever heard of on the part of the owners of a public