188 A YEAR WITH A WHALER 



know that, and besides, he wanted to leave notK- 

 ing undone to impress the revenue cutter officers 

 with the urgency of his case. 



No sooner had the Corwin settled to her berth 

 at the pier than a small boat with bluejackets 

 at the oars, two officers in gold braid and epaul- 

 ettes in the stern, and with the stars and stripes 

 flying, shot out from under her quarter and 

 headed for the brig. 



" Aha," we chuckled. " Captain Shorey has 

 got his foot in it. He has Uncle Sam to deal 

 with now. He won't hit him over the head with 

 a revolver." 



The boat came alongside and the officers 

 climbed over the rail. Captain Shorey wel- 

 comed them with a smile and elaborate courtesy 

 and ushered them into the cabin. Slim was sent 

 for. 



" Tell 'em everything, Slim," we urged. 

 " Give it to the captain hot and heavy. He's a 

 brute and the revenue cutter men will take you 

 off the brig as sure as shooting. They won't 

 dare leave you aboard to lead a dog's life for 

 the rest of the voyage." 



