Page:Rowland--The Mountain of Fears.djvu/155

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.

ROSENTHAL THE JEW

ances of the voyage. They did not know me, of course, but they returned my bow, called for beer, drank it and strolled on. As they were leaving I remarked in English to one of them, apparently an American:

"'The ship does not sail until night, does she?'

" 'Not until one o'clock,' he replied, agreeably, no doubt taking me for a passenger from Porto Cabello.

"For awhile we sat in silence; then my lieutenant, who evidently found himself greatly bored, turned to me and said, in fair English:

" 'You are a tourist, sir?'

" 'Yes,' said I, 'and much regretting that this is the last which I shall see of Venezuela for many months.' There promised to be some truth in the last part of this statement, Doctor.

" 'You enjoy Venezuela?' inquired the officer, evidently pleased.

[ 139 ]