The congressman insisted that they should adjourn to his rooms. An
unmarried man, he kept bachelor's hall at the hotel during his stay in
Washington. There, in comfortable chairs, they spoke of old times, when
the captain was seafaring and the Everdean home had been his while his
ship was in port at 'Frisco. He told of his return to Bayport, and the
renovation of the old house. Of Bos'n he said nothing. At last Everdean
asked what had brought him to Washington.

"Well," said Captain Cy, "I'll tell you. I'm like the feller in court
without a lawyer; he said he couldn't tell whether he was guilty or not
'count of havin' no professional advice. That's what I've come to you
for, Ed--professional advice."

He told the harbor appropriation story. At the incident of the
"committee of one" his friend laughed heartily.

"Rather put your foot in it that time, Captain, didn't you?" he said.

"Yup. Then I got t'other one stuck tryin' to get the first clear. How's
it look to you? All straight, do you think? or is there a nigger in the
wood pile?"

Mr. Everdean seemed to reflect.

"Well, Captain," he said, "I can't tell. You're asking delicate
questions. Politicians are like doctors, they usually back up each
other's opinions. Still, you're at least as good a friend of mine as
Atkins is. Queer HE should bob up in this matter! Why, he--but never
mind that now. I tell you, Captain Whittaker, you come around and have