"Vot schip vos dot?" bellowed the other, who was evidently some sort of port official.
"This is the American steamer Hawk, Singapore for Valparaiso."
"Vy you no show your flarg?" inquired the official, his boat coming nearer the Hawk every moment.
"Sorry; if I'd known it was your birthday, guess I'd have hoisted a bit of bunting," replied the pseudo Yankee skipper, and gave an order which resulted in the Stars and Stripes fluttering out astern.
The reply, however, did not appear to please the official.
"You 'eave-to!" he commanded. "I vant to see your papers."
Calamity rang down "Stop," the engines ceased thudding and a couple of men came out on deck and threw a rope-ladder over the side. A moment later the boat came alongside and the official, a short, fat little man, ascended the ladder with some difficulty, alighting on deck hot and breathless. Meanwhile his coffee-coloured cox'n having made the boat fast to a rung of the rope-ladder, sat down and lighted a cheroot.
"You vas der Captain?" asked the newcomer of Calamity, as soon as he had recovered his breath.
"Yes."
"You must produce your papers."