Come along
now, peaceable, and let's have no words about it."
He advanced and laid a hand on the captain's arm.
"You're under arrest," he announced. "Will you come along quiet?"
"I'm under arrest?" repeated Captain Elisha. "Under--My soul and body!
Why, I ain't done anything."
"Yes, I know. Nobody's done nothin'. Come on, or shall I--Hello, Mr.
Pearson, sir! How d'you do?"
Pearson had stepped forward.
"Slattery," he said, "you've made a mistake. Let me tell you about
it." He drew the officer aside and whispered in his ear. After a rather
lengthy conversation, the guardian of the peace turned to the watchman.
"What d'you mean by tellin' all them lies?" he demanded.
"Lies?" repeated the astonished watchman. "I never told no lies."
"You did. You said this gentleman," indicating the nervous and
apprehensive Captain Elisha, "was fightin' and murderin'. I ask your
pardon, sir. 'Twas this bloke's foolishness. G'wan ashore! You make me
sick. Good day, Mr. Pearson."
He departed, driving his new victim before him and tongue-lashing him
all the way. The captain drew a long breath.
"Say, Mr. Pearson," he declared, "a minute or so ago you said this was
a lucky day for you. I cal'late it's a luckier one for me. If it hadn't
been for you I'd been took up.
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