The Prize Package from Mr. Fogg

"Very well! Exactly! Then you take your orders. Proceed to an anchorage
off Lambert Point below Norfolk, pick a berth well off the channel, and
put down both hooks. The boat is going out of commission. I find you're
not making any money for the owners."

"It ain't my fault. With charters at--" began the master, indignantly.

"I haven't any time for a joint debate. You are laid off. Bring your
accounts to the main office as soon as you have turned the steamer over
to the caretaker--he'll come out from Norfolk." Manager Fogg turned on
his heel to meet Mate Mayo. "You will report at the main offices, too,
Mr. Mayo. Have you master's papers?"

"I have, sir--Atlantic waters, Jacksonville to East-port."

"Very good--you're going to be promoted. I shall put you aboard the
passenger-steamer Montana as captain." He looked about sharply. "Where
is my agent?"

"There, in the quartermaster's cabin. We gave him that," replied Captain
Wass, gruffly. "I'm glad I'm out of steamboating. I've learned how to
run a boarding-house and make money out of it."

Mr. Fogg did not understand that sneer, and he paid no attention to the
captain's manner. He started for the cabin indicated.

"Well, you can swell around in gold braid now and catch your heiress,"
observed Captain Wass to his mate.