patriotism--one's duty to one's country--excuses, in the minds of all
fair men, the commission of acts which ordinarily would bring about
the deepest condemnation. I assure you that if we had had the faintest
hope of doing business in a businesslike way with your owners, we
should have been happy to pay almost any price for their ship, for she
carries ten thousand tons of coal; and you surely must realize,
Captain Murphy, how limited is the number of ships suitable for our
purpose under the American flag. We were desperate--"

"I believe Bethmann-Hollweg said something of the same nature with
regard to Belgium," Murphy replied blandly. "A nation fighting for its
life is a law unto itself, eh?"

"Self-preservation is the first law of human nature," the supercargo
replied.

"All right. Then we understand each other. While I decline to
terminate the war between August Carl von Staden and Michael Joseph
Murphy, nevertheless under the law you have just cited I believe I'm
entitled to breakfast. I'm starved. I figured on having supper ashore
last night, but after I received that cablegram from my owners I
forgot all about food. Now I'm remembering. I wish you'd send the
steward in with about forty dollars' worth of spoon victuals. My
grinders are very loose."

"Captain Murphy," his jailer declared, "do you know you are a very
wonderful man?"

"All the Murphys are. It runs in the blood, like a wooden leg."