“They had to be helped up the side a’most, and they was so grateful it was quite affecting, until the true state o’ things was explained to them. It seemed to change ’em wonderful, an’ after Mr. Macpherson had had three cups o’ hot coffee an’ four glasses o’ brandy he took the chair at the indignation meeting, an’ went straight off to sleep in it. They woke him up three times, but he was so cross about it that the ladies had to go away an’ the meeting was adjourned. “I don’t think it ever came to much after all, nobody being really hurt, an’ the skipper being so much upset they felt sort o’ sorry for ’im. “The rest of the passage was very quiet an’ comfortable, but o’ course it all came out at the other end, an’ the mate brought the ship home. Some o’ the chaps said the skipper was a bit wrong in the ’ed, and, while I’m not gainsaying that, it’s my firm opinion that he was persuaded to do what he did by that young leftenant. As I said afore, he was a larky young chap, an’ very fond of a joke if he didn’t have to pay for it.” BROTHER HUTCHINS “I’ve got a friend coming down with us this trip, George,” said the master of the _Wave_ as they sat on deck after tea watching the river. “One of our new members, Brother Hutchins.” “From the Mission, I s’pose?” said the mate coldly. “From the Mission,” confirmed the skipper. “You’ll like him, George; he’s been one o’ the greatest rascals that ever breathed.” “Well, I don’t know what you mean,” said the mate, looking up indignantly. “He’s ’ad a most interestin’ life,” said the skipper; “he’s been in half the jails of England. To hear ’im talk is as good as reading a book, And ’e’s as merry as they make ’em.” “Oh, and is ’e going to give us prayers afore breakfast like that fat-necked, white-faced old rascal what came down with us last summer and stole my boots?” demanded the mate. “He never stole ’em, George,” said the skipper. “If yo’d ’eard that man cry when I mentioned to ’im your unjust suspicions, you’d never have forgiven yourself. He told ’em at the meetin’, an’ they had prayers for you.” “You an’ your Mission are a pack o’ fools,” said the mate scornfully. “You’re always being done. A man comes to you an’ ses ’e’s found grace, and you find ’im a nice, easy, comfortable living. ’E sports a bit of blue ribbon and a red nose at the same time. Don’t tell me. You ask me why I don’t join you, and I tell you it’s because I don’t want to lose my common sense.” “You’ll know better one o’ these days, George,” said the skipper, rising. “I earnestly hope you’ll ’ave some great sorrow or affliction, something almost too great for you to bear. It’s the only thing that’ll save you.” “I expect that fat chap what stole my boots would like to see it too,” said the mate. “He would,” said the skipper solemnly. “He said so.”