y serious troubles are only just beginning. If I
were at sea, I should have no fears, for there I am perfectly at home.
No matter how the wind might blow, or the seas roll, I always brought my
ship through in safety. I could read the signs of the weather, and could
detect the approach of danger from the elements. I _knew_ my enemies
were there, and that was half the battle. Here, on land, I find it so
different; my worst enemies come to me with the smiles and greetings of
friends; they express the tenderest wishes for my welfare, and shower
upon me the tokens of their affection; then, having fairly won my
confidence, they turn upon me when I least expect it, and stab me
cruelly. I am a plain, blunt man--often irritable and unjust, I
know--still, I never flinch from danger when I can see it; but, the very
nature of my bringing up has rendered me unfit to cope with the wiles
and subtleties of my fellow man. You, Mr. Pinkerton, it is said, have
the power to see direct to the hearts of men through the shams and
artifices by which they seek to hide their true characters, and you are
the only man who can assist me. Oh, I wish I were back on the sea, far
away from all my troubles. I should care but little if I never
returned."

He spoke in a low voice, but the tone was clear until the last, when his
words were very pathetic. As he closed, his head dropped forward, and he
sat gazing fixedly at his ring in an attitude of mournful retrospection.

"Perhaps you had better wait awhile before telling me your story," I
suggested.

"Yes," he replied, looking at his watch, "it is now five o'clock, so I
will defer making my statement until to-morrow; though I should prefer
to make it now, if I had time. The story is a long one, and I shall have
to take a considerable portion of your valuable time in telling it. Will
you please to name the hour when I can meet you to-morrow, to give you
all the facts in the case?"

I had already become interested in the Captain, and, after thinking for
a moment how I could best arrange my other business so as to grant him
the necessary time, I told him to come at nine o'clock next morning. He
said he would be punctual in keeping the appointment; then stepping
forward, he took my hand and said, in a very impressive way, "Mr.
Pinkerton, I shall meet you if I am alive. I am not afraid of death; I
have met it scores of times, face to face, and have never flinched from
it; but now I must take care of mysel