The judgments of the sea Author:Ralph Delahaye Paine Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: THE PRAYING SKIPPER 4 4 T T 'm not SomS to stand for this sort of thing," angrily protested young Valentine as he shoved the letter at Port Captain Graham of ... more »the Palmetto Line. " The old man may be as good a sailor as you say he is, but it's high time we set him ashore on a half-pay pension. Why, he's making our service ridiculous. Read it out to Mr. Holmes." The port captain fidgeted and awkwardly wiped his glasses, for the task was unwelcome: " Dear Valentine — " Congratulations on your decision to mix up in the business of the old company. It seems a hefty responsibility for so young a man, but blood will tell. By the way, here is something for you to investigate while the new broom is sweeping the cobwebs away. I went South on your Suwannee a month ago, and have the honour to inform you that her captain is a venerable nuisance, and loose in his top story. He is a religious crank, clean dippy on it, held prayer-meetings until half the passengers were driven on deck, and had a lot of hysterical women flocking around him for two different services on Sunday. The Suwannee is a gospel ark in command ofa praying skipper, and if only the sanctified are going to enjoy travelling in her, you will lose a lot of business. I reckon it's time the line had an overhauling, so good luck to you. Yours as ever, Jim." Young Mr. Valentine explained to the surprised officials : " The signer is an old college friend of mine, a man of a great deal of influence here in New York, and he gives the line and its biggest, newest ship this kind of a black eye. And I have heard other rumours to the same effect. Now I want an explanation from both you gentlemen. You know all about Captain Jesse Kendrick of the Smvannee, and it's your business to report such idiotic performances. If you h...« less