The Two Supercargoes | Page 2

the masters of our vessels
to be careful in that respect, but they won't attend to what I say. Let me
see! that makes the fifth who has lost his life during the last two years.
I'm thankful he got clear of the pirates. Those rascals have long been
the greatest pests on that coast. It is time the British Government
should take effectual steps to put a stop to their depredations by
sending a squadron into those seas. Have you brought the manifest and
the other papers with you?"
"Yes, sir," answered Harry, producing them. "Mr Magor will be on
shore himself in an hour or two, when he has seen the vessel made snug,
for he has no one to leave in charge; he himself is still suffering from
the fever, and two of her white crew are in their bunks."
Mr Crank, taking the documents, retired with them into his room, to
run his eye over the list of articles brought by the "Arrow," and to
calculate their present market value. The result I know was satisfactory.
I had afterwards to note down the prices which they fetched. Merchants
who could make so large a percentage on all their cargoes were certain
to grow rich. It was at the cost, however, of the lives of a great number
of human beings; but that was not my employers' look out, nor did they
allow the matter to trouble their consciences. They could always obtain
fresh masters to take charge of their vessels, and fresh crews to man
them.
In a short time Mr Trunnion, who had heard on 'Change of the arrival
of the "Arrow," came in to learn what news she had brought, expecting
to find her master, who was wont, immediately he came on shore, to
put in an appearance at the office. Mr Trunnion expressed himself
much shocked at Captain Rig's death.
"Poor fellow! he used to boast that he was acclimatised, but it is a proof
of the old adage, `that the pitcher which goes often to the well gets

broken at last.' We might have lost a worse man;" and with this remark
Mr Trunnion passed into his room, in which he sat to receive visitors
on private business.
Mr Trunnion, although the second partner, was the youngest in the firm.
He was a good-looking, urbane, well-mannered man, who, if not
always loved by those under him, was much liked and respected in the
social circle in which he moved, he being also one of the magnates of
Liverpool. For my own part, I had reason to like and be grateful to Mr
Swab, the junior member of the firm. He had formerly been a clerk in
the house, but by diligent attention to and a thorough knowledge of
business and strict honesty, he had some years before been made a
partner. To him I felt that I owed all the knowledge I possessed of
commercial affairs, as from my first entrance into the office he took
notice of me, and gave me the instruction I so much required. My chief
friend was Harry Bracewell, who was also a favourite with Mr Swab,
and had received the same instruction from him that I had obtained. Mr
Swab was not at all ashamed of his origin. He used to tell us that he had
risen, not from the gutter, but from the mud, like other strange animals,
having obtained his livelihood in his early days by hunting at low tide
for whatever he could pick up along the shore, thrown overboard from
the lighters or similar vessels unloading at the quays. At length it was
his good fortune to pick a purse out of the mud containing ten golden
guineas, and, as he used to tell us, being convinced that he should never
have a find like it, he resolved to quit his occupation, for which he had
no particular fancy, and endeavour to obtain a situation where he might
have a prospect of rising in the world. Though he could neither read nor
write, he was well aware that those acquirements were necessary for his
advancement, as also that a decent suit of clothes would greatly
contribute to his obtaining a respectable place. These objects were now
within his reach. The most easily attained was the suit of clothes, and
these he bought, with a cap and a good pair of shoes, at a slopseller's,
including three shirts, a necktie, and other articles of clothing, for the
moderate sum of 2 pounds, 13 shillings and 6 pence. He had taken
good care not to let the slopseller know of his wealth; indeed, that fact
he kept locked in his own bosom, as he did his purse in a place in
which no one was