A Queer Race: The Story of a Strange People — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

6 A QUEER RACE. neither shivered his timbers nor hitched up his trousers. His manner was quiet and self-possessed, and his voice low (he had certainly not used the coarse expression at- tributed to him by Slocum); and albeit slightly grizzled, he did not look much above forty. ‘he man had, more- over, a genial, good-humored countenance, the high color of which showed that he had lately voyaged in low lati- tudes, and his clear, wide-open blue eyes bespoke both honesty and courage. Slocum junior lingered about the door as if he wanted to take part in the conversation. ‘“You may go, Mr. Slocum,” I said, severely; and mut- tering something which I did not catch, he went. “That is right,” said the Ancient Mariner; ‘‘ my bus- iness is very private, and ”—glancing round—‘‘I hope there’s no possibility of anybody listening?” “None. The door is thick, and fits close, and my desk is a long way frcm it. Besides, nobody could listen without being seen by all the clerks in the outer office. What can I do for you? Won’t you sit down?” “Thank you kindly. I don’t know as you can do much for me; but may be I can do something for you. You are Mr. Sidney Erle, underwriter of the Oriental and Oc- cidental Marine Insurance Company, aren’t you?” “Tam. And you?” , « “Thomas Bolsover, ablea-bodied seaman, late a quar- ter-master aboard the Niobe.” “Ah!” ‘“ You underwrote the Niobe, didn’t you, for a biggish figure?” ‘‘T am sorry to say we did.” “And I am very sorry. But this must not go any further, Mr. Erle. Iam only a common seafaring man, late a quarter-master aboard the Niobe, and I don’t want to get myself into no trouble.” ‘“T understand, Mr. Bolsover; and you may be sure that I shall do nothing to compromise you. What passes here will go no further without your permission.” . ‘“ Well, I was going to say as I am sorry to say tha the Niobe did not get fair play.” ‘You mean that she got foul play?” Se dO, -. Gom Cc JOO KS (E(0)