These gentlemen are bulls and bears, Their club has very curious chairs. [Illustration ** Four men sitting at a table playing cards. One is Blood and he appears to be cheating.] Again the origin of Sin, Was doubtful and obscure; Whereas, the Captain’s origin Was absolutely sure. A document affirms that he Was born in 1853 Upon a German ship at sea, Just off the Grand Canary. And though the log is rather free And written too compactly, We know the weather to a T, The longitude to a degree, The latitude exactly, And every detail is the same; We even know his Mother’s name. As to his father’s occupation, Creed, colour, character or nation, (On which the rumours vary); He said himself concerning it, With admirably caustic wit, “I think the Public would much rather Be sure of me than of my father.” The contrast curiously keen Their characters could yield Was most conspicuously seen Upon the Tented Field. Was there by chance a native tribe To cheat, cajole, corrupt, or bribe?-- In such conditions Sin would burn To plunge into the fray, While Blood would run the whole concern From fifty miles away. He had, wherever honours vain Were weighed against material gain A judgment, practical and sane, Peculiarly his own. In this connection let me quote An interesting anecdote Not generally known. Before he sailed he might have been (If he had thought it paid him) A military man of note. Her gracious Majesty the Queen Would certainly have made him, In spite of his advancing years, A Captain of the Volunteers. [Illustration ** Blood and another man standing and talking.]