270 WANDERINGS AND MEMORIES 



boat with eleven men), Bistrita (Roumanian), 

 October 11th, Gardepee (Enghsh), October 16th, 

 Oolr (English), October 26th. The crews of most 

 of these passed through my hands, and there was 

 much work day and night attending to their affairs 

 and sending them south. 



One October morning a little incident occurred 

 which was somewhat annoying, though not without 

 an element of humour. About 10 a.m. there was 

 a knock at my door, and there entered a small, 

 rough-looking Norwegian sea captain, who had 

 evidently, even at this early hour, been engaged 

 in the worship of Bacchus. The following con- 

 versation then took place — 



" Well, what can I do for you ? " 



" I have just arrived from Trondhjem with a 

 cargo of salt, and as I am in a hurry, I want papers 

 to obtain bunker coal to return there this evening." 



" Not so fast, my friend. What kind of salt 

 have you delivered here, German or English ? " 



" It was English." 



" You are quite sure ? " 



" Yes." 



" To whom did you deliver it ? " 



" N. and Co." 



" Where did you obtain the salt and of what 

 firm?" 



" In Trondhjem." 



"But of what firm?" 



At this he hesitated, and on my stating that he 

 could in no case obtain the permit unless he told 

 me, he mentioned the name. 



" Well, before I can give you a permit for bunker 

 coal, I shall have to make inquiries, so return here 



