TWO DAYS AT SEA I21

‘“ Sir, I wish to know—I have the right to know—where
I am going—and—”

“Here, Keeper Gaydon, you have no rights, and your
only duty is to speak when you are spoken to.”

“JT protest.”

“Protest, then!” replied the imperious and haughty
individual, and he threw me an evil look.

As he descended the companion I found myself in the
presence of Serko.

“If I werein your place, Keeper Gaydon, I would resign
myself,” he said smiling. “When a man is caught in a
trap—”

“ He may cry out, I suppose.”

‘“‘ What is the use—when no one is within hearing.”

“They will hear by-and-by, sir!”

“By-and-by means waiting! However, cry out as much
as you please!”

With this sarcastic advice the engineer left me to my
reflections.

At four o’clock a large vessel was sighted six miles to
the eastward, on a contrary tack to ours. Her speed was
rapid, and it increased as we watched her. Great swirls
of black smoke rushed from her two chimneys. The
vessel was a man-of-war, for a narrow pennant flew
from the masthead, and even although no flag waved
from the gaff, I thought I recognized an American
cruiser.

I wondered whether the £dda would make the usual
salute when the big ship crossed her course.