He was ready
to admit that it was very reprehensible of him. But Franklin had no
intention apparently to moralize. He did not fall silent either. His
further remarks were to the effect that there had been a time when
Captain Anthony would have showed more than enough concern for the least
thing happening to one of his officers. Yes, there had been a time!
"And mind," he went on, laying down suddenly a half-consumed piece of
bread and butter and raising his voice, "poor Mathews was the second man
the longest on board. I was the first. He joined a month later--about
the same time as the steward by a few days. The bo'sun and the carpenter
came the voyage after. Steady men. Still here. No good man need ever
have thought of leaving the _Ferndale_ unless he were a fool. Some good
men are fools. Don't know when they are well off. I mean the best of
good men; men that you would do anything for. They go on for years, then
all of a sudden--"
Our young friend listened to the mate with a queer sense of discomfort
growing on him. For it was as though Mr.
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