States Customs, and were
undergoing all the tortures invented by Uncle Sam to punish
Americans for going abroad.

Shirley and Mrs. Blake were fortunate in securing an inspector who
was fairly reasonable. Of course, he did not for a moment believe
their solemn statement, already made on the ship, that they had
nothing dutiable, and he rummaged among the most intimate garments
of their wardrobe in a wholly indecent and unjustifiable manner,
but he was polite and they fared no worse than all the other women
victims of this, the most brutal custom house inspection system in
the world.

Jefferson had the misfortune to be allotted an inspector who was
half seas over with liquor and the man was so insolent and
threatening in manner that it was only by great self-restraint
that Jefferson controlled himself. He had no wish to create a
scandal on the dock, nor to furnish good "copy" for the keen-eyed,
long-eared newspaper reporters who would be only too glad of such
an opportunity for a "scare head," But when the fellow compelled
him to open every trunk and valise and then put his grimy hands to
the bottom and by a quick upward movement jerked the entire
contents out on the dock he interfered:

"You are exceeding your authority," he exclaimed hotly. "How dare
you treat my things in this manner?"

The drunken uniformed brute raised his bloodshot, bleary eyes and
took Jefferson in from tip to toe. He clenched his fist as if
about to resort to violence, but he was not so intoxicated as to
be quite blind to the fact that this passenger had massive square
shoulders, a determined jaw and probably a heavy arm. So
contenting himself with a sneer, he said:

"This ain't no country for blooming English dooks. You're not in
England now you know. This is a free country. See?"

"I see this," replied Jefferson, furious "that you are a drunken
ruffian and a disgrace to the uniform you wear. I shall report
your conduct immediately," with which he proceeded to the Customs
desk to lodge a complaint.

He might have spared himself the trouble. The silver haired,
distinguished looking old officer in charge knew that Jefferson's
complaint was well founded, he knew that this particular inspector
was a drunkard and a discredit to the government which employed
him, but at the same time he also knew that political influence
had been behind his appointment and that it was unsafe to do more
than mildly reprimand him. When, therefore, he accompani