CHAPTER SIXTEEN.
AN INTERVIEW.
"Mr Herrick! Come to my cabin," said the captain as he stepped on deck, and I followed him.
"You stupid fellow," whispered Mr Brooke as I passed him, "why didn't you keep the boat by the wharf ?" I gave him a comical look, and followed the captain; but I was kept waiting for a few moments at the door while the servant was summoned, and when I did go in my officer was lying back in his chair, with ice on the table, and a great glass of what seemed to be soda-water and brandy before him, but which proved by the decanter to be sherry.
"Oh," he cried angrily, "there you are, sir! Why didn't you come at once, sir ?" "I did, sir; but was kept waiting till you were ready." "Well, sir, don't answer in that pert way.

It sounds like insolence.
That will not do, Mr Herrick, if you wish to get on in your profession.
Now, sir, your orders were to stop by the landing-place, with the boat in charge, ready for my return, were they not ?" "Yes, sir; but--" "Silence, sir! How dare you interrupt me?
I go up through the broiling heat to have an interview with that wretched, stolid, obstinate mandarin, with his confounded button and peacock-feather; and when I do get back, perfectly exhausted by the heat, half-dead, I find no boat." "No, sir; but--" "Silence, sir! Will you let me speak?
The consequence is that, because you choose to disobey orders, and take the men off to indulge in some of the disgusting drinks of this wretched country--" "I beg pardon, sir," I cried; "I--" "Mr Herrick! am I to place you under arrest?
Be silent, sir.

I say, I return with my escort from an important diplomatic visit, arranged so as to impress the people, and when I return, almost fainting with the heat, there is no boat, because you have allowed the men to impose upon you; and you are away drinking with them, I suppose ?" "No, sir; I--" "Mr Herrick!" he roared, "I will not bear it.

I say there was no boat; and not only am I forced to submit to the indignity of waiting, and listening to the gibes of the low-class Chinese, and to see their scowls, but our delay there--through you, sir--results, I say results, in the miserable wretches taking advantage thereof, and, thinking me helpless, working themselves up to an attack.

When at last you do come crawling up with those four men, they are purple-faced from drinking, every one threatened by apoplexy--why, your own face is crimson, sir; and I could smell the men when I stepped on board." "No, sir--the dirty harbour, sir," I said.