THE CAPTAIN. 229 



The Captain used to tell us this story. He said: 

 "I was seated one day beneath the shade of 

 some great trees in front of an hotel in St. 

 Helena with two other American captains. 



" It was very hot and the streets were almost 

 deserted. Nobody seemed to be about. We sat 

 there quietly enjoying ourselves, when we saw 

 three burly-looking sailors coming up the street. 

 « They belonged on a large English ship that 

 had just anchored in the harbor. They were 

 rough-looking, and evidently meant to make 

 trouble for somebody if they could. 



The United States consul's office was exactly 

 opposite us, and of course our flag was flying from 

 a tall staff in front. 



" When the sailors came up to it, they began 

 to call out in derision, insulting the stars and 

 stripes. Then they cast off the halyards and 

 hauled it down, cursing in the vilest language the 

 'bloody Yankee flag,' as they called it, and 

 wrapping it about themselves, trailing it in 



the dust. 



«<We could stand it no longer,' said the 

 Captain. ' We felt it was time we took a hand. 

 So when they began to pitch into the consul's 

 clerk, who came out to try to rescue the flag, we, 

 too laid hold of them and a general fight ensued. 



