A Queer Race: The Story of a Strange People — page 8: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A QUEER RACE. 5 once; for we had contingent liabilities in the shape of unclosed risks which might exceed the whole of our un- called capital. I had arrived at this point of my musings, when there came a knock at the door, followed by Slocum junior, a cheeky young rascal who, on the strength of being a volunteer and the son of a director, took liberties and gave himself airs. ‘Well?’ I said, tartly; for he had bounced in without waiting for an invitation. . ‘*"There’s a man in the office wants to see you, and he. refuses either to give his name or state his business; only he says it is very pressing and particular—the business, I mean, not the name.” “What sort of man is he?” ‘‘Seafaring; an Ancient Mariner sort of chap.” “A skipper?” ‘Looks like an A. B., boatswain, cockswain, or cook, or something of that sort.” ‘** Oh, I cannot be bothered with able-bodied seamen at this time of day. It is nearly five o’clock, and I have all my letters to write. He must state his business—or stuy, he can see me to-morrow morning at ten o’clock.” ‘All right, Pll tell him. But he’s a stupid-looking old beggar; I don’t think he will go away.” | In two minutes Slocum junior was back again; came in this time withont even so much as knocking. “The Ancient Mariner resolutely and not very respect- fully refuses either to state his business or call to-mor- row,’ said the young fellow, jauntily. ‘‘ Does not care se d d much whether you see him or not, but it will be to vour loss if you don’t.” I felt very much disposed to send the Ancient Mariner to the deuce, but curiosity getting the better of dignity, I told Slocum to show him in. | “‘T thonght that would fetch him!’ muttered the ‘ young jackanapes, as he went out to execute my commis- sion, which he did bv going to the door and shouting, ‘¢ Come in!” The ‘* Ancient Mariner sort of achap ” came in accord- ingly. Though evidently in the seafaring profession, there was very little of the conventional sailor about him. He had neither hair.on his face nor a quid in his cheeks; | ~ ~comicbooks.co