Collected works > Edinburgh edition, 1894-98 - Works of Robert Louis Stevenson > Volume 3, 1895 - Travels and Excursions, Volume II

THE AMATEUR EMIGRANT
down the companion, breathing hurry ; and in his
shirt-sleeves and perched across the carpenter's
bench upon one thigh, found Blackwood ; a neat,
bright, dapper, Glasgow-looking man, with a bead
of an eye and a rank twang in his speech. I forget
who was with him, but the pair were enjoying a
deliberate talk over their pipes. I daresay he was
tired with his day's work, and eminently comfort-
able at that moment ; and the truth is I did not
stop to consider his feeUngs, but told my story in a
breath.
' Steward,' said I, ' there 's a man lying bad with
cramp, and I can't find the doctor.'
He turned upon me as pert as a sparrow, but with
a black look that is the prerogative of man ; and
taking his pipe out of his mouth —
' That 's none of my business,' said he. ' I don't
care. '
I could have strangled the Httle ruffian where he
sat. The thought of his cabin civihty and cabin
tips filled me with indignation. I glanced at
O'Reilly ; he was pale and quivering, and looked
like assault and battery every inch of him. But we
had a better card than violence.
* You will have to make it your business,' said
I, * for I am sent to you by the officer on the
bridge.'
Blackwood was fairly tripped. He made no
answer, but put out his pipe, gave me one murder-
ous look, and set off upon his errand strolling.
From that day forward, I should say,| he improved
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