But Eph, disdaining the proffered hand, seized the rail, vaulting neatly
on board. Then he straightened up.
"I am Ensign Somers, from the gunboat 'Sudbury.'"
"Ensign, eh?" muttered the schooner's master, looking in some
bewilderment at Eph's boyish face. "I beg your pardon, Mr. Somers."
"What craft is this, sir?" Eph continued.
"Schooner 'Varia,' from New York, bound for Jamaica."
"We saw 'Varia' painted on your stern, of course," smiled Eph. "But was
that name painted there during the night?"
"Sir?" demanded the skipper, in some astonishment. "Oh, I see, Ensign.
Your commander thinks we may be sailing under false colors. Will you
be kind enough to step down into my cabin?"
Here an elderly man, in yachting dress, stepped forward out of a group
of sailors at the waist of the craft.
"This schooner is chartered to convey--" he began, but Eph interposed,
politely:
"Pardon me, sir, but I am talking with the captain only."
Then, turning toward the launch, Ensign Somers called:
"Corporal, board with your marines, and wait further orders."
Then Eph followed the captain below.
"The gentleman who spoke to you," explained Varia's master, "is Dr.
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