The next day was spent in Plymouth, and letting the idea of a visit to
Salcombe rest in abeyance for a time, Uncle Paul called on different
shipping agents, made inquiries in the docks, looked over two or three
small vessels that he was assured would be exactly the thing he wanted,
and which could be handed over to him at once if decided on; and at
last, utterly wearied out, he returned home with Rodd very much
impressed by the feeling that it was much easier to say what he
required, than to get his wants supplied.
He was a little better after they had had a good hearty tea meal, but
there was a great deal of truth in Rodd's mental remark that Uncle Paul
was as cross as two sticks. Rodd quite started, feeling as he did that
he must have spoken aloud, and Uncle Paul have heard his words, for the
doctor turned upon him sharply, stared him full in the face, and
exclaimed--
"Now, look here, sir; didn't I explain to each of those agents exactly
the sort of vessel I wanted before they gave me their orders to go and
view the craft where they lay in dock or on the mud?"
"Yes, uncle, you told them exactly," replied Rodd.
"Do I look like an idiot, Rodd?"
"No, uncle. What a question!"
"Then how dare the scoundrels deal with me as if I didn't know what I
was about! I said a schooner as plain as I could speak."
"You did, uncle."
"And one sent me to see that ramshackle old brig that looked as if it
might have been a tender out of the Armada, and the two others sent me
to see a barque that would want twice as big a crew as I should take,
and the other to look over that abominable old billy-boy that you
couldn't tell bow from stern, which so sure as she bumps upon a sandbank
would melt away like butter. Thinking of nothing else but making a bit
of commission, ready to sell one anything; but I am not going to be
tricked like that.--Yes, what do you want? What is it?"
For the neat handmaid who attended on the doctor's wants had tapped at
the door, and receiving no answer from her master, whose voice she could
hear declaiming loudly, opened the door and walked in, with--
"Somebody wants to see you, sir, if you please."
"Then tell somebody I don't please," said the doctor shortly.
"Yes, sir," said the maid, going.
"No, stop! I don't want to be rude, even if people have put me out.
What does Mrs Somebody want?"
"Please, sir, it isn't a Mrs, it's a Mister," said the girl.
"Go and see him, Rodd," said the doctor shortly. "I expect it's
somebody wants subscriptions, and I haven't got any."
"Please, sir," interposed the maid, "the--er--gent--person--said he'd
heard say that you wanted a captain."