Ralph D. Paine

Name: The King and Captain O'Shea — Chapter 1
Author: Ralph D. Paine

The King and Captain O'Shea — Chapter 1 (1913)

Summary

“The King and Captain O'Shea — Chapter 1”, published in 1913, is a work by Ralph D. Paine. It explores elements such as Johnny Kent, O'Shea and Handy.

Quotes from The King and Captain O'Shea — Chapter 1 (Ralph D. Paine)

Ralph D. Paine, The King and Captain O'Shea — Chapter 1 (1913)

“ Whimsical amusement lighted O' Shea's bold, smooth-shaven features as he replied:
"I am not a man to seek a humdrum life, afloat or ashore, you impatient old pirate! There was a lot of fuss kicked up at home about that last voyage of ours, as ye well know. And there was a strong chance that we would be laid by the heels in one of Uncle Sam's jails for breaking the laws between nations. We are better off where we are."
"Governments are touchy, but it's dog-goned foolishness to hold it against us," grumbled Johnny Kent. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Ralph D. Paine, The King and Captain O'Shea — Chapter 1 (1913)

“ Johnny Kent had carefully adjusted his spectacles to his nose to survey this rare spectacle, and he now shoved them up beyond his bushy brows before he hoarsely confided to his comrade:
"I thought they went about disguised, Cap'n Mike, same as we run a blockade with no lights and the steamer's name boards covered up. Is he the real king, or is it just play actin'?"
"Europe is full of kings that have been kicked out of their berths," answered O'Shea. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Ralph D. Paine, The King and Captain O'Shea — Chapter 1 (1913)

“ He was not offensively self-important, but one knew him to be a personage who expected the world to show him deference. The barmaid, who was no dunce at reading human nature, bobbed a curtsy, and withheld the flippant persiflage which was wont to delight the nautical patrons of the place.
A moment later there entered the tavern a brisk young man with a sandy complexion and a roving eye, who was smartly, but a trifle showily, attired—a keen, up-to-snuff young man, who knew his way about. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Ralph D. Paine, The King and Captain O'Shea — Chapter 1 (1913)

“ As it opened, the quick ear of Captain O'Shea heard the mysterious personage saying to the brisk young man:
"A steamer of the tonnage of this Tyneshire Glen is what I wish. If your investigation has satisfied you that she is thoroughly seaworthy, and in good repair, and Captain Handy also recommends her——"
The door closed behind Captain Handy; and O'Shea, glancing in that direction, smiled cynically, and observed to Johnny Kent:
"Did you size him up? You know the kind. Every big port has them—broken shipmasters, disrated mates, beach combers that aren't fit to take a scow to sea." ”

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Source: Wikisource

Ralph D. Paine, The King and Captain O'Shea — Chapter 1 (1913)

“ There are no revolutions popping the lid off in Central or South America, and we will sit tight and trust in my lucky star. I have a gold piece or two left in the toe of the sock where I stowed it against times like this. And we have not sunk so low that we must sign on for a lawful voyage in a ship that does not dodge every smoke she sights."
Johnny Kent crooked a finger at the barmaid, and sought consolation in another mug of bitter, while Captain O'Shea turned to a morning newspaper and ran his eye down the ship-news column to note the arrivals and departures. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Ralph D. Paine, The King and Captain O'Shea — Chapter 1 (1913)

“ The hearty British shipmaster looked inscrutable, tossed the whisky into his heated coppers, and slowly assured her:
"Women's curiosity is the fatal weakness of the sex, my dear. A king is a king wherever you find him. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Ralph D. Paine, The King and Captain O'Shea — Chapter 1 (1913)

“ Glancing at a card held between a grimy thumb and finger, he asked the barmaid:
"Is Baron Frederick Martin Strothers hereabouts, my girl? Captain Handy's compliments."
"If you mean the dashin' young man with the red weskit, 'e is settin' in yonder with his majesty."
"Right you are!" exclaimed Captain Handy. "My business with his majesty, but the baron has charge of the arrangements as minister of finance. A nipper of Scotch whisky, neat, miss, before I talk to 'em."
"What sort of a king is 'e, and what's his bloomin' handle?" she eagerly besought him. "Are you makin' gyme of me?" ”

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Source: Wikisource

Ralph D. Paine, The King and Captain O'Shea — Chapter 1 (1913)

“ We're fish out of water. American masters' and engineers' papers are no good among these Britishers."
"'Tis not easy to find our kind of a ship anywhere," O'Shea reminded him. "Big risks and big wages is our game. ”

Ralph D. Paine

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Quotes from The King and Captain O'Shea — Chapter 1 (Ralph D. Paine)

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