The Two Supercargoes | Page 6

a somewhat heavy gale, in which she was fearfully knocked about, and had we not kept the pumps going she would have foundered to a certainty. As I wanted to see you and other friends; I took horse and rode night and day to get here. The business I have got to speak of brooks of no delay, and is such as you and I can talk about best alone."
Turning round as he spoke, he cast a glance at Mr Magor. For a moment, it seemed to me that his eye appeared to quail, but he quickly recovered himself.
"Have you finished your business here?" he asked in a bold tone, looking at the mate. "If so, you will leave me and your employer alone--for I presume that you are the master of one of his vessels. And that youngster--you do not wish him to take down our conversation, I suppose," he added, first looking at me then round at his brother.
"Really, Roderick, you have been so accustomed to command, that you forget that you are not on your own quarter-deck," observed Mr Trunnion, who was evidently annoyed at the authoritative tone assumed by his brother.
The mate rose and looked first at Mr Trunnion then at Captain Roderick.
"I have met that man before," he said, "and it is my duty to tell you when and how it was. It was not long ago, on the high seas, when he boarded the `Arrow' at the head of--"
Mr Trunnion, as the mate spoke, looked very much agitated, and I naturally fancied that something extraordinary was about to be said. Captain Roderick alone appeared perfectly cool. Fixing his glance on the mate, he exclaimed in a loud tone, interrupting him--
"You, my good fellow, may have met me half-a-dozen times for what I know to the contrary, or half-a-dozen men whom you may mistake for me, although I cannot say that I ever set eyes on you before. However, go on and tell Mr Trunnion what I did when you fancy that you saw me, and I shall then know whether you are mistaken as to my identity."
The mate looked greatly confused.
"I can only hope that I am mistaken, and unless Mr Trunnion desires me, I shall decline at present stating where, as I believe, I last saw you."
Mr Trunnion was silent for a minute, and seemed lost in thought. Suddenly looking up he said--
"You have been suffering from fever, Mr Magor, and your recollection of events, very naturally, is somewhat clouded. A few weeks' quiet and rest will restore your health. I would advise you not to repeat what you have just said. I'll send on board and relieve you of charge of the brig as soon as possible, and you can go to your friends in the country."
Mr Magor, making a nautical bow to Mr Trunnion, and giving another glance towards Captain Roderick, left the room.
"Westerton," continued my employer, turning to me, "you have heard all that has been said, and if it were repeated, although the poor man is under an hallucination, it might be the cause of disagreeable reports. You are discreet, I can trust you. Let not a word on the subject escape your lips. You can now go and finish those letters at your own desk."
I did as I was ordered, and gathering up the papers, followed the mate out of the room, leaving the two brothers together. What followed, I of course cannot say. For an hour or more they were closeted together. At last Captain Roderick came out, and returned to the inn where he had put up his horse. All I know is, that Mr Trunnion did not invite him to his house. It seemed to me suspicious, and I could not help thinking about the matter, and wished that I could have consulted Harry Bracewell. Two evenings afterwards we went to a party at the house of Mr Crank. Shortly after we arrived, who should walk in but Captain Roderick. By the way Mr Crank and Lucy received him, I felt convinced that Mr Trunnion had said nothing to prejudice the senior partner against him. He made himself at home as usual, treating Miss Lucy with great deference, and it seemed to me that he was gaining ground in her good graces.
His appearance was greatly improved since the day I had seen him in the counting-house. His face was carefully shaved, and his dress was such as to set off his well-made active figure. His aim was evidently to play the agreeable, not only to the young lady of the house, but to all the ladies present, and with some--especially with the dowagers--he appeared to be as successful as he could desire. He cast an indifferent glance now and then at me, as if he