diff options
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 3 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 12130-0.txt | 551 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 12130-h.zip | bin | 0 -> 473313 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 12130-h/007.jpg | bin | 0 -> 103386 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 12130-h/008.jpg | bin | 0 -> 81927 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 12130-h/009.jpg | bin | 0 -> 40433 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 12130-h/12130-h.htm | 1074 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 12130-h/cover.jpg | bin | 0 -> 105403 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 12130-h/frontis.jpg | bin | 0 -> 82656 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 12130-h/title.jpg | bin | 0 -> 41600 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 12130.txt | 970 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 12130.zip | bin | 0 -> 16883 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/12130-h.zip | bin | 0 -> 473313 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/12130-h/007.jpg | bin | 0 -> 103386 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/12130-h/008.jpg | bin | 0 -> 81927 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/12130-h/009.jpg | bin | 0 -> 40433 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/12130-h/12130-h.htm | 1074 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/12130-h/cover.jpg | bin | 0 -> 105403 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/12130-h/frontis.jpg | bin | 0 -> 82656 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/12130-h/title.jpg | bin | 0 -> 41600 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/12130.txt | 970 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/12130.zip | bin | 0 -> 16883 bytes |
24 files changed, 4655 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/12130-0.txt b/12130-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..144ec81 --- /dev/null +++ b/12130-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,551 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 12130 *** + +THE LADY OF THE BARGE + +AND OTHER STORIES + +By W. W. Jacobs + + + + +AN ADULTERATION ACT + + +Dr. Frank Carson had been dreaming tantalizing dreams of cooling, +effervescent beverages. Over and over again in his dreams he had risen +from his bed, and tripping lightly down to the surgery in his pajamas, +mixed himself something long and cool and fizzy, without being able to +bring the dream to a satisfactory termination. + +With a sudden start he awoke. The thirst was still upon him; the +materials for quenching it, just down one flight of stairs. He would +have smacked his lips at the prospect if they had been moist enough to +smack; as it was, he pushed down the bedclothes, and throwing one leg out +of bed-became firmly convinced that he was still dreaming. + +For the atmosphere was stifling and odorous, and the ceiling descended in +an odd bulging curve to within a couple of feet of his head. Still half +asleep, he raised his fist and prodded at it in astonishment--a feeling +which gave way to one of stupefaction as the ceiling took another shape +and swore distinctly. + +"I must be dreaming," mused the doctor; "even the ceiling seems alive." + +He prodded it again-regarding it closely this time. The ceiling at once +rose to greater altitudes, and at the same moment an old face with bushy +whiskers crawled under the edge of it, and asked him profanely what he +meant by it. It also asked him whether he wanted something for himself, +because, if so, he was going the right way to work. + +"Where am I?" demanded the bewildered doctor. "Mary! Mary!" + +He started up in bed, and brought his head in sudden violent contact with +the ceiling. Then, before the indignant ceiling could carry out its +threat of a moment before, he slipped out of bed and stood on a floor +which was in its place one moment and somewhere else the next. + +In the smell of bilge-water, tar, and the foetid atmosphere generally his +clouded brain awoke to the fact that he was on board ship, but resolutely +declined to inform him how he got there. He looked down in disgust at +the ragged clothes which he had on in lieu of the usual pajamas; and +then, as events slowly pieced themselves together in his mind, +remembered, as the last thing that he could remember, that he had warned +his friend Harry Thomson, solicitor, that if he had any more to drink it +would not be good for him. + +He wondered dimly as he stood whether Thomson was there too, and walking +unsteadily round the forecastle, roused the sleepers, one by one, and +asked them whether they were Harry Thomson, all answering with much +fluency in the negative, until he came to one man who for some time made +no answer at all. + +The doctor shook him first and then punched him. Then he shook him again +and gave him little scientific slaps, until at length Harry Thomson, in a +far-away voice, said that he was all right. + +"Well, I'm glad I'm not alone," said the doctor, selfishly. "_Harry! +Harry! Wake up!_" + +"All ri'!" said the sleeper; "I'm all ri'!" + +The doctor shook him again, and then rolled him backward and forward in +his bunk. Under this gentle treatment the solicitor's faculties were +somewhat brightened, and, half opening his eyes, he punched viciously at +the disturber of his peace, until threatening voices from the gloom +promised to murder both of them. + +"Where are we?" demanded the doctor, of a deep voice from the other side +of the forecastle which had been particularly threatening. + +"Barque _Stella,_ o' course," was the reply. "Where'd you think you +was?" + +The doctor gripped the edge of his friend's bunk and tried to think; +then, a feeling of nausea overcoming all others, he clambered hurriedly +up the forecastle ladder and lurched to the side of the vessel. + +He leaned there for some time without moving, a light breeze cooling his +fevered brow, and a small schooner some little distance from them playing +seesaw, as he closed his eyes to the heaving blue sea. Land was +conspicuous by its absence, and with a groan he turned and looked about +him--at the white scrubbed deck, the snowy canvas towering aloft on +lazily creaking spars, and the steersman leaning against the wheel +regarding the officer who stood near by. + +Dr. Carson, feeling a little better, walked sternly aft, the officer +turning round and glancing in surprise at his rags as he approached. + +"I beg your pardon," began the doctor, in superior tones. + +"And what the devil do you want?" demanded the second officer; "who told +you to come along here?" + +"I want to know what this means," said the doctor, fiercely. "How dare +you kidnap us on your beastly bilge-tank?" + +"Man's mad," murmured the astonished second officer. + +"Insufferable outrage!" continued the doctor. "Take us back to +Melbourne at once." + +"You get for'ard," said the other sharply; "get for'ard, and don't let me +have any more of your lip." + +"I want to see the captain of this ship," cried the doctor; "go and fetch +him at once." + +The second officer gazed at him, limp with astonishment, and then turned +to the steersman, as though unable to believe his ears. The steersman +pointed in front of him, and the other gave a cry of surprise and rage as +he saw another tatterdemalion coming with uncertain steps toward him. + +"Carson," said the new arrival, feebly; and coming closer to his friend, +clung to him miserably. + +"I'm just having it out with 'em, Thomson," said the doctor, +energetically. "My friend here is a solicitor. Tell him what 'll happen +if they don't take us back, Harry." + +"You seem to be unaware, my good fellow," said the solicitor, covering a +large hole in the leg of his trousers with his hand, "of the very +dangerous situation in which you have placed yourselves. We have no +desire to be harsh with you--" + +"Not at all," acquiesced the doctor, nodding at the second officer. + +"At the same time," continued Mr. Thomson--"at the--" He let go his +friend's arm and staggered away; the doctor gazed after him +sympathetically. + +[Illustration: HE SAW ANOTHER TATTERDEMALION COMING TOWARDS HIM.] + +"His digestion is not all it should be," he said to the second officer, +confidentially. + +"If you don't get for'ard in two twos," said that gentleman, explosively, +"I'll knock your heads off." + +The doctor gazed at him in haughty disdain, and taking the limp Thomson +by the arm, led him slowly away. + +"How did we get here?" asked Mr. Harry Thomson, feebly. + +The doctor shook his head. + +"How did we get these disgusting clothes on?" continued his friend. + +The doctor shook his head again. "The last thing I can remember, Harry," +he said, slowly, "was imploring you not to drink any more." + +"I didn't hear you," said the solicitor, crustily; "your speech was very +indistinct last night." + +"Seemed so to you, I dare say," said the other. + +Mr. Thomson shook his arm off, and clinging to the mainmast, leaned his +cheek against it and closed his eyes. He opened them again at the sound +of voices, and drew himself up as he saw the second officer coming along +with a stern-visaged man of about fifty. + +"Are you the master of this vessel?" inquired the doctor, stepping to +his friend's side. + +"What the blazes has that got to do with you?" demanded the skipper. +"Look here, my lads; don't you play any of your little games on me, +because they won't do. You're both of you as drunk as owls." + +"Defamation of character," said the solicitor, feebly, to his friend. + +"Allow me," said the doctor, with his best manner, "to inquire what all +this means. I am Dr. Frank Carson, of Melbourne; this gentleman is my +friend Mr. Thomson, of the same place, solicitor." + +"What?" roared the skipper, the veins in his forehead standing out. +"Doctor! Solicitor! Why, you damned rascals, you shipped with me as +cook and A. B." + +"There's some mistake," said the doctor. "I'm afraid I shall have to ask +you to take us back. I hope you haven't come far." + +"Take those scarecrows away," cried the skipper, hoarsely; "take them +away before I do them a mischief. I'll have the law of somebody for +shipping two useless lubbers as seamen. Look to me like pickpockets." + +"You shall answer for this," said Carson, foaming; "we're professional +men, and we're not going to be abused by a bargee." + +"Let him talk," said Mr. Thomson, hurriedly drawing his friend away from +the irate skipper. "Let him talk." + +"I'll put you both in quod when we get to Hong-kong," said the skipper. +"Meantime, no work, no food; d'ye hear? Start and cook the breakfast, +Mr. Doctor; and you. Mr. Lawyer, turn to and ask the boy to teach you an +A. B's duties." + +He walked back to the cabin; and the new cook was slowly pushed toward +the galley by the second officer, the new A. B., under the same gentle +guidance, being conducted back to the forecastle. + +Fortunately for the new seamen the weather continued fine, but the heat +of the galley was declared by the new cook to be insupportable. From the +other hands they learned that they had been shipped with several others +by a resourceful boarding-house master. The other hands, being men of +plain speech, also said that they were brought aboard in a state of +beastly and enviable intoxication, and chaffed crudely when the doctor +attributed their apparent state of intoxication to drugs. + +"You say you're a doctor?" said the oldest seaman. + +"I am," said Carson, fiercely. + +"Wot sort of a doctor are you, if you don't know when your licker's been +played with, then?" asked the old man, as a grin passed slowly from mouth +to mouth. + +"I suppose it is because I drink so seldom," said the doctor, loftily. +"I hardly know the taste of liquor myself, while as for my friend Mr. +Thomson, you might almost call him a teetotaler. + +"Next door to one," said the solicitor, who was sewing a patch on his +trousers, as he looked up approvingly. + +"You might call 'im a sailor, if you liked," said another seaman, "but +that wouldn't make him one. All I can say is I never 'ad enough time or +money to get in the state you was both in when you come aboard." + +If the forecastle was incredulous, the cabin was worse. The officers at +first took but little notice of them, but feeling their torn and tattered +appearance was against them, they put on so many airs and graces to +counteract this that flesh and blood could not endure it quietly. The +cook would allude to his friend as Mr. Thomson, while the A. B. would +persist in referring, with a most affected utterance, to Dr. Carson. + +"Cook!" bawled the skipper one day when they were about a week out. + +Dr. Carson, who was peeling potatoes, stepped slowly out of the galley +and went toward him. + +"You say 'Sir,' when you're spoken to," said the skipper, fiercely. + +The doctor sneered. + +"My --- if you sneer at me, I'll knock your head off!" said the other, +with a wicked look. + +"When you get back to Melbourne," said the doctor, quietly, "you'll hear +more of this." + +"You're a couple of pickpockets aping the gentleman," said the skipper, +and he turned to the mate. "Mr. Mackenzie, what do these two ragamuffins +look like?" + +"Pickpockets," said the mate, dutifully. + +"It's a very handy thing," said the old man, jeeringly, "to have a doctor +aboard. First time I've carried a surgeon." + +Mr. Mackenzie guffawed loudly. + +"And a solicitor," said the skipper, gazing darkly at the hapless Harry +Thomson, who was cleaning brasswork. "Handy in case of disputes. He's a +real sea lawyer. _Cook!_" + +"Sir?" said the doctor, quietly. + +"Go down and tidy my cabin, and see you do it well." + +The doctor went below without a word, and worked like a housemaid. When +he came on deck again, his face wore a smile almost of happiness, and his +hand caressed one trousers pocket as though it concealed a hidden weapon. + +For the following three or four days the two unfortunates were worked +unceasingly. Mr. Thomson complained bitterly, but the cook wore a +sphinx-like smile and tried to comfort him. + +"It won't be for long, Harry," he said, consolingly. + +The solicitor sniffed. "I could write tract after tract on temperance," +he said, bitterly. "I wonder what our poor wives are thinking? I expect +they have put us down as dead." + +"Crying their eyes out," said the doctor, wistfully; "but they'll dry +them precious quick when we get back, and ask all sorts of questions. +What are you going to say, Harry?" + +"The truth," said the solicitor, virtuously. + +"So am I," said his friend; "but mind, we must both tell the same tale, +whatever it is. Halloa! what's the matter?" + +"It's the skipper," said the boy, who had just run up; "he wants to see +you at once. He's dying." + +He caught hold of the doctor by the sleeve; but Carson, in his most +professional manner, declined to be hurried. He went leisurely down the +companion-ladder, and met with a careless glance the concerned faces of +the mate and second officer. + +"Come to the skipper at once," said the mate. + +"Does he want to see me?" said the doctor, languidly, as he entered the +cabin. + +The skipper was lying doubled up in his bunk, his face twisted with pain. +"Doctor," he panted, "give me something quick. There's the medicine- +chest." + +"Do you want some food, sir?" inquired the other, respectfully. + +"Food be damned!" said the sufferer. "I want physic. There's the +medicine-chest." The doctor took it up and held it out to him. "I don't +want the lot," moaned the skipper. + +"I want you to give me something for red-hot corkscrews in the inside." + +"I beg your pardon," said the doctor, humbly; "I'm only the cook." + +"If you--don't--prescribe for me at once," said the skipper, "I'll put +you in irons." + +The doctor shook his head. "I shipped as cook," he said, slowly. + +"Give me something, for Heaven's sake!" said the skipper, humbly. "I'm +dying." The doctor pondered. + +"If you dinna treat him at once, I'll break your skull," said the mate, +persuasively. + +The doctor regarded him scornfully, and turned to the writhing skipper. + +"My fee is half a guinea a visit," he said, softly; "five shillings if +you come to me." + +"I'll have half a guinea's worth," said the agonized skipper. + +The doctor took his wrist, and calmly drew the second officer's watch +from its owner's pocket. Then he inspected the sick man's tongue, and +shaking his head, selected a powder from the chest. + +"You mustn't mind its being nasty," he said. "Where's a spoon?" + +He looked round for one, but the skipper took the powder from his hand, +and licked it from the paper as though it had been sherbet. + +"For mercy's sake don't say it's cholera," he gasped. + +"I won't say anything," said the doctor. "Where did you say the money +was?" + +The skipper pointed to his trousers, and Mr. Mackenzie, his national +spirit rising in hot rage, took out the agreed amount and handed it to +the physician. + +"Am I in danger?" said the skipper. + +"There's always danger," said the doctor, in his best bedside manner. +"Have you made your will?" + +The other, turning pale, shook his head. "Perhaps you'd like to see a +solicitor?" said Carson, in winning tones. + +"I'm not bad enough for that," said the skipper, stoutly. + +"You must stay here and nurse the skipper, Mr. Mackenzie," said Carson, +turning to the mate; "and be good enough not to make that snuffling +noise; it's worrying to an invalid." + +"Snuffling noise?" repeated the horror-struck mate. + +"Yes; you've got an unpleasant habit of snuffling," said the doctor; "it +worries me sometimes, I meant to speak to you about it before. You +mustn't do it here. If you want to snuffle, go and snuffle on deck." + +The frenzied outburst of the mate was interrupted by the skipper. "Don't +make that noise in my cabin, Mr. Mackenzie," he said, severely. + +Both mates withdrew in dudgeon, and Carson, after arranging the +sufferer's bedclothes, quitted the cabin and sought his friend. Mr. +Thomson was at first incredulous, but his eyes glistened brightly at the +sight of the half-sovereign. + +"Better hide it," he said, apprehensively; "the skipper 'll have it back +when he gets well; it's the only coin we've got." + +"He won't get well," said Dr. Carson, easily; "not till we get to Hong- +kong, that is." + +"What's the matter with him?" whispered the solicitor. + +The doctor, evading his eye, pulled a long face and shook his head. "It +may be the cooking," he said, slowly. "I'm not a good cook, I admit. It +might be something got into the food from the medicine-chest. I +shouldn't be at all surprised if the mates are taken bad too." + +And indeed at that very moment the boy came rushing to the galley again, +bawling out that Mr. Mackenzie was lying flat on his stomach in his bunk, +punching the air with his fists and rending it with his language. The +second officer appeared on deck as he finished his tale, and glancing +forward, called out loudly for the cook. + +"You're wanted, Frank," said the solicitor. + +"When he calls me doctor, I'll go," said the other, stiffly. + +"_Cook!_" bawled the second officer. "_Cook!_ COOK!" + +He came running forward, his face red and angry, and his fist doubled. +"Didn't you hear me calling you?" he demanded, fiercely. + +"I've been promoted," said Carson, sweetly. "I'm ship's surgeon now." + +"Come down below at once, or I'll take you there by the scruff of your +neck," vociferated the other. + +"You're not big enough, little man," said the doctor, still smiling. +"Well, well, lead the way, and we'll see what we can do." + +He followed the speechless second officer below, and found the boy's +description of the first officer's state as moonlight unto sunlight, as +water unto wine. Even the second officer was appalled at the spectacle, +and ventured a protest. + +"Gie me something at once," yelled Mr. Mackenzie. + +"Do you wish me to undertake your case?" inquired the doctor, suavely. + +Mr. Mackenzie said that he did, in seven long, abusive, and wicked +sentences. + +"My fee is half a guinea," said the doctor, softly, poor people who +cannot afford more, mates and the like, I sometimes treat for less." + +"I'll die first," howled the mate; "you won't get any money out of me." + +"Very good," said the doctor, and rose to depart. + +"Bring him back, Rogers," yelled the mate; "don't let him go." + +But the second officer, with a strange awesome look in his eyes, was +leaning back in his seat, tightly gripping the edge of the table in both +hands. + +"Come, come," said the doctor, cheerily--"what's this? You mustn't be +ill, Rogers. I want you to nurse these other two." + +The other rose slowly to his feet and eyed him with lack-lustre eyes. +"Tell the third officer to take charge," he said, slowly; "and if he's to +he nurse as well, he's got his hands full." + +The doctor sent the boy to apprise the third officer of his +responsibilities, and then stood watching the extraordinary and snakelike +convolutions of Mr. Mackenzie. + +"How much--did--ye say?" hissed the latter. + +"Poor people," repeated the doctor, with relish, "five shillings a visit; +very poor people, half a crown." + +"I'll have half a crown's worth," moaned the miserable mate. + +"Mr. Mackenzie," said a faint voice from the skipper's cabin. + +"Sir?" yelled the mate, who was in torment. + +"Don't answer me like that, sir," said the skipper, sharply. "Will you +please to remember that I'm ill, and can't bear that horrible noise +you're making?" + +"I'm--ill--too," gasped the mate. + +"Ill? Nonsense!" said the skipper, severely. "We can't both be ill. +How about the ship?" + +There was no reply, but from another cabin the voice of Mr. Rogers was +heard calling wildly for medical aid, and offering impossible sums in +exchange for it. The doctor went from cabin to cabin, and, first +collecting his fees, administered sundry potions to the sufferers; and +then, in his capacity of cook, went forward and made an unsavory mess he +called gruel, which he insisted upon their eating. + +Thanks to his skill, the invalids were freed from the more violent of +their pains, but this freedom was followed by a weakness so alarming that +they could hardly raise their heads from their pillows--a state of things +which excited the intense envy of the third officer, who, owing to his +responsibilities, might just as well have been without one. + +In this state of weakness, and with the fear of impending dissolution +before his eyes, the skipper sent for Mr. Harry Thomson, and after some +comparisons between lawyers and sharks, in which stress was laid upon +certain redeeming features of the latter, paid a guinea and made his +will. His example, save in the amount of the fee, was followed by the +mate; but Mr. Rogers, being approached tentatively by the doctor in his +friend's behalf, shook his head and thanked his stars he had nothing to +leave. He had enjoyed his money, he said. + +They mended slowly as they approached Hong-kong, though a fit of temper +on Mr. Mackenzie's part, during which he threw out ominous hints about +having his money back, led to a regrettable relapse in his case. He was +still in bed when they came to anchor in the harbour; but the skipper and +his second officer were able to go above and exchange congratulations +from adjoining deck-chairs. + +"You are sure it wasn't cholera?" asked the harbour-master's deputy, who +had boarded them in his launch, after he had heard the story. + +"Positive," said Carson. + +"Very fortunate thing they had you on board," said the deputy--"very +fortunate." + +The doctor bowed. + +"Seems so odd, the three of them being down with it," said the other; +"looks as though it's infectious, doesn't it?" + +"I don't think so," said the doctor, accepting with alacrity an offer to +go ashore in the launch and change into some decent clothes. "I think I +know what it was." + +The captain of the _Stella_ pricked up his ears, and the second officer +leaned forward with parted lips. Carson, accompanied by the deputy and +the solicitor, walked toward the launch. + +"What was it?" cried the skipper, anxiously. + +[Illustration: THE SECOND OFFICER LEANED FORWARD] + +"I think that you ate something that disagreed with you," replied the +doctor, grinning meaningly. "Good-by, captain." + +The master of the _Stella_ made no reply, but rising feebly, tottered to +the side, and shook his fist at the launch as it headed for the shore. +Doctor Carson, who had had a pious upbringing, kissed his hand in return. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of An Adulteration Act, by W.W. Jacobs + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 12130 *** diff --git a/12130-h.zip b/12130-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..91ccf28 --- /dev/null +++ b/12130-h.zip diff --git a/12130-h/007.jpg b/12130-h/007.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..7dcad71 --- /dev/null +++ b/12130-h/007.jpg diff --git a/12130-h/008.jpg b/12130-h/008.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..170f688 --- /dev/null +++ b/12130-h/008.jpg diff --git a/12130-h/009.jpg b/12130-h/009.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c3cb6aa --- /dev/null +++ b/12130-h/009.jpg diff --git a/12130-h/12130-h.htm b/12130-h/12130-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d48f4ce --- /dev/null +++ b/12130-h/12130-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,1074 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> +<head> +<title>THE LADY OF THE BARGE AND OTHERS, Book 10</title> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"> +<style type="text/css"> +<!-- +body {margin:10%; text-align:justify} +img {border: 0;} +--> +</style> +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of An Adulteration Act, by W.W. Jacobs + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: An Adulteration Act + The Lady of the Barge and Others, Part 10. + +Author: W.W. Jacobs + +Release Date: April 22, 2004 [EBook #12130] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: US-ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AN ADULTERATION ACT *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + + + +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="cover.jpg (102K)" src="cover.jpg" height="923" width="738"> +</center> +<br><br> + + +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="title.jpg (40K)" src="title.jpg" height="602" width="442"> +</center> +<br><br> + + + +<center> +<h1>THE LADY OF THE BARGE<br><br> +AND OTHER STORIES</h1> +<br><br> +<h2>By W. W. Jacobs</h2> +<br><br> +<h3>BOOK 10</h3> +<br><br> +</center> + +<a name="frontis"></a> +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="frontis.jpg (80K)" src="frontis.jpg" height="742" width="503"> +</center> +<br><br> + + +<br><br><br><br> + + + + + +<br><br><hr><br><br> + + +<a name="c10"></a> +<br><br> +<center> +<h2> +AN ADULTERATION ACT +</h2> +</center> +<br> + +<p>Dr. Frank Carson had been dreaming tantalizing dreams of cooling, +effervescent beverages. Over and over again in his dreams he had risen +from his bed, and tripping lightly down to the surgery in his pajamas, +mixed himself something long and cool and fizzy, without being able to +bring the dream to a satisfactory termination.</p> + +<p>With a sudden start he awoke. The thirst was still upon him; the +materials for quenching it, just down one flight of stairs. He would +have smacked his lips at the prospect if they had been moist enough to +smack; as it was, he pushed down the bedclothes, and throwing one leg out +of bed-became firmly convinced that he was still dreaming.</p> + +<p>For the atmosphere was stifling and odorous, and the ceiling descended in +an odd bulging curve to within a couple of feet of his head. Still half +asleep, he raised his fist and prodded at it in astonishment—a feeling +which gave way to one of stupefaction as the ceiling took another shape +and swore distinctly.</p> + +<p>"I must be dreaming," mused the doctor; "even the ceiling seems alive."</p> + +<p>He prodded it again-regarding it closely this time. The ceiling at once +rose to greater altitudes, and at the same moment an old face with bushy +whiskers crawled under the edge of it, and asked him profanely what he +meant by it. It also asked him whether he wanted something for himself, +because, if so, he was going the right way to work.</p> + +<p>"Where am I?" demanded the bewildered doctor. "Mary! Mary!"</p> + +<p>He started up in bed, and brought his head in sudden violent contact with +the ceiling. Then, before the indignant ceiling could carry out its +threat of a moment before, he slipped out of bed and stood on a floor +which was in its place one moment and somewhere else the next.</p> + +<p>In the smell of bilge-water, tar, and the foetid atmosphere generally his +clouded brain awoke to the fact that he was on board ship, but resolutely +declined to inform him how he got there. He looked down in disgust at +the ragged clothes which he had on in lieu of the usual pajamas; and +then, as events slowly pieced themselves together in his mind, +remembered, as the last thing that he could remember, that he had warned +his friend Harry Thomson, solicitor, that if he had any more to drink it +would not be good for him.</p> + +<p>He wondered dimly as he stood whether Thomson was there too, and walking +unsteadily round the forecastle, roused the sleepers, one by one, and +asked them whether they were Harry Thomson, all answering with much +fluency in the negative, until he came to one man who for some time made +no answer at all.</p> + +<p>The doctor shook him first and then punched him. Then he shook him again +and gave him little scientific slaps, until at length Harry Thomson, in a +far-away voice, said that he was all right.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm glad I'm not alone," said the doctor, selfishly. "<i>Harry! +Harry! Wake up!</i>"</p> + +<p>"All ri'!" said the sleeper; "I'm all ri'!"</p> + +<p>The doctor shook him again, and then rolled him backward and forward in +his bunk. Under this gentle treatment the solicitor's faculties were +somewhat brightened, and, half opening his eyes, he punched viciously at +the disturber of his peace, until threatening voices from the gloom +promised to murder both of them.</p> + +<p>"Where are we?" demanded the doctor, of a deep voice from the other side +of the forecastle which had been particularly threatening.</p> + +<p>"Barque <i>Stella,</i> o' course," was the reply. "Where'd you think you +was?"</p> + +<p>The doctor gripped the edge of his friend's bunk and tried to think; +then, a feeling of nausea overcoming all others, he clambered hurriedly +up the forecastle ladder and lurched to the side of the vessel.</p> + +<p>He leaned there for some time without moving, a light breeze cooling his +fevered brow, and a small schooner some little distance from them playing +seesaw, as he closed his eyes to the heaving blue sea. Land was +conspicuous by its absence, and with a groan he turned and looked about +him—at the white scrubbed deck, the snowy canvas towering aloft on +lazily creaking spars, and the steersman leaning against the wheel +regarding the officer who stood near by.</p> + +<p>Dr. Carson, feeling a little better, walked sternly aft, the officer +turning round and glancing in surprise at his rags as he approached.</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon," began the doctor, in superior tones.</p> + +<p>"And what the devil do you want?" demanded the second officer; "who told +you to come along here?"</p> + +<p>"I want to know what this means," said the doctor, fiercely. "How dare +you kidnap us on your beastly bilge-tank?"</p> + +<p>"Man's mad," murmured the astonished second officer.</p> + +<p>"Insufferable outrage!" continued the doctor. "Take us back to +Melbourne at once."</p> + +<p>"You get for'ard," said the other sharply; "get for'ard, and don't let me +have any more of your lip."</p> + +<p>"I want to see the captain of this ship," cried the doctor; "go and fetch +him at once."</p> + +<a name="007"></a> +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="007.jpg (100K)" src="007.jpg" height="779" width="542"> +</center> +<br><br> + + +<p>The second officer gazed at him, limp with astonishment, and then turned +to the steersman, as though unable to believe his ears. The steersman +pointed in front of him, and the other gave a cry of surprise and rage as +he saw another tatterdemalion coming with uncertain steps toward him.</p> + +<p>"Carson," said the new arrival, feebly; and coming closer to his friend, +clung to him miserably.</p> + +<p>"I'm just having it out with 'em, Thomson," said the doctor, +energetically. "My friend here is a solicitor. Tell him what 'll happen +if they don't take us back, Harry."</p> + +<p>"You seem to be unaware, my good fellow," said the solicitor, covering a +large hole in the leg of his trousers with his hand, "of the very +dangerous situation in which you have placed yourselves. We have no +desire to be harsh with you—"</p> + +<p>"Not at all," acquiesced the doctor, nodding at the second officer.</p> + +<p>"At the same time," continued Mr. Thomson—"at the—" He let go his +friend's arm and staggered away; the doctor gazed after him +sympathetically.</p> + +<p>"His digestion is not all it should be," he said to the second officer, +confidentially.</p> + +<p>"If you don't get for'ard in two twos," said that gentleman, explosively, +"I'll knock your heads off."</p> + +<p>The doctor gazed at him in haughty disdain, and taking the limp Thomson +by the arm, led him slowly away.</p> + +<p>"How did we get here?" asked Mr. Harry Thomson, feebly.</p> + +<p>The doctor shook his head.</p> + +<p>"How did we get these disgusting clothes on?" continued his friend.</p> + +<p>The doctor shook his head again. "The last thing I can remember, Harry," +he said, slowly, "was imploring you not to drink any more."</p> + +<p>"I didn't hear you," said the solicitor, crustily; "your speech was very +indistinct last night."</p> + +<p>"Seemed so to you, I dare say," said the other.</p> + +<p>Mr. Thomson shook his arm off, and clinging to the mainmast, leaned his +cheek against it and closed his eyes. He opened them again at the sound +of voices, and drew himself up as he saw the second officer coming along +with a stern-visaged man of about fifty.</p> + +<p>"Are you the master of this vessel?" inquired the doctor, stepping to +his friend's side.</p> + +<p>"What the blazes has that got to do with you?" demanded the skipper. +"Look here, my lads; don't you play any of your little games on me, +because they won't do. You're both of you as drunk as owls."</p> + +<p>"Defamation of character," said the solicitor, feebly, to his friend.</p> + +<p>"Allow me," said the doctor, with his best manner, "to inquire what all +this means. I am Dr. Frank Carson, of Melbourne; this gentleman is my +friend Mr. Thomson, of the same place, solicitor."</p> + +<p>"What?" roared the skipper, the veins in his forehead standing out. +"Doctor! Solicitor! Why, you damned rascals, you shipped with me as +cook and A. B."</p> + +<p>"There's some mistake," said the doctor. "I'm afraid I shall have to ask +you to take us back. I hope you haven't come far."</p> + +<p>"Take those scarecrows away," cried the skipper, hoarsely; "take them +away before I do them a mischief. I'll have the law of somebody for +shipping two useless lubbers as seamen. Look to me like pickpockets."</p> + +<p>"You shall answer for this," said Carson, foaming; "we're professional +men, and we're not going to be abused by a bargee."</p> + +<p>"Let him talk," said Mr. Thomson, hurriedly drawing his friend away from +the irate skipper. "Let him talk."</p> + +<p>"I'll put you both in quod when we get to Hong-kong," said the skipper. +"Meantime, no work, no food; d'ye hear? Start and cook the breakfast, +Mr. Doctor; and you. Mr. Lawyer, turn to and ask the boy to teach you an +A. B's duties."</p> + +<p>He walked back to the cabin; and the new cook was slowly pushed toward +the galley by the second officer, the new A. B., under the same gentle +guidance, being conducted back to the forecastle.</p> + +<p>Fortunately for the new seamen the weather continued fine, but the heat +of the galley was declared by the new cook to be insupportable. From the +other hands they learned that they had been shipped with several others +by a resourceful boarding-house master. The other hands, being men of +plain speech, also said that they were brought aboard in a state of +beastly and enviable intoxication, and chaffed crudely when the doctor +attributed their apparent state of intoxication to drugs.</p> + + +<a name="008"></a> +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="008.jpg (80K)" src="008.jpg" height="873" width="469"> +</center> +<br><br> + + +<p>"You say you're a doctor?" said the oldest seaman.</p> + +<p>"I am," said Carson, fiercely.</p> + +<p>"Wot sort of a doctor are you, if you don't know when your licker's been +played with, then?" asked the old man, as a grin passed slowly from mouth +to mouth.</p> + +<p>"I suppose it is because I drink so seldom," said the doctor, loftily. +"I hardly know the taste of liquor myself, while as for my friend Mr. +Thomson, you might almost call him a teetotaler.</p> + +<p>"Next door to one," said the solicitor, who was sewing a patch on his +trousers, as he looked up approvingly.</p> + +<p>"You might call 'im a sailor, if you liked," said another seaman, "but +that wouldn't make him one. All I can say is I never 'ad enough time or +money to get in the state you was both in when you come aboard."</p> + +<p>If the forecastle was incredulous, the cabin was worse. The officers at +first took but little notice of them, but feeling their torn and tattered +appearance was against them, they put on so many airs and graces to +counteract this that flesh and blood could not endure it quietly. The +cook would allude to his friend as Mr. Thomson, while the A. B. would +persist in referring, with a most affected utterance, to Dr. Carson.</p> + +<p>"Cook!" bawled the skipper one day when they were about a week out.</p> + +<p>Dr. Carson, who was peeling potatoes, stepped slowly out of the galley +and went toward him.</p> + +<p>"You say 'Sir,' when you're spoken to," said the skipper, fiercely.</p> + +<p>The doctor sneered.</p> + +<p>"My — if you sneer at me, I'll knock your head off!" said the other, +with a wicked look.</p> + +<p>"When you get back to Melbourne," said the doctor, quietly, "you'll hear +more of this."</p> + +<p>"You're a couple of pickpockets aping the gentleman," said the skipper, +and he turned to the mate. "Mr. Mackenzie, what do these two ragamuffins +look like?"</p> + +<p>"Pickpockets," said the mate, dutifully.</p> + +<p>"It's a very handy thing," said the old man, jeeringly, "to have a doctor +aboard. First time I've carried a surgeon."</p> + +<p>Mr. Mackenzie guffawed loudly.</p> + +<p>"And a solicitor," said the skipper, gazing darkly at the hapless Harry +Thomson, who was cleaning brasswork. "Handy in case of disputes. He's a +real sea lawyer. <i>Cook!</i>"</p> + +<p>"Sir?" said the doctor, quietly.</p> + +<p>"Go down and tidy my cabin, and see you do it well."</p> + +<p>The doctor went below without a word, and worked like a housemaid. When +he came on deck again, his face wore a smile almost of happiness, and his +hand caressed one trousers pocket as though it concealed a hidden weapon.</p> + +<p>For the following three or four days the two unfortunates were worked +unceasingly. Mr. Thomson complained bitterly, but the cook wore a +sphinx-like smile and tried to comfort him.</p> + +<p>"It won't be for long, Harry," he said, consolingly.</p> + +<p>The solicitor sniffed. "I could write tract after tract on temperance," +he said, bitterly. "I wonder what our poor wives are thinking? I expect +they have put us down as dead."</p> + +<p>"Crying their eyes out," said the doctor, wistfully; "but they'll dry +them precious quick when we get back, and ask all sorts of questions. +What are you going to say, Harry?"</p> + +<p>"The truth," said the solicitor, virtuously.</p> + +<p>"So am I," said his friend; "but mind, we must both tell the same tale, +whatever it is. Halloa! what's the matter?"</p> + +<p>"It's the skipper," said the boy, who had just run up; "he wants to see +you at once. He's dying."</p> + +<p>He caught hold of the doctor by the sleeve; but Carson, in his most +professional manner, declined to be hurried. He went leisurely down the +companion-ladder, and met with a careless glance the concerned faces of +the mate and second officer.</p> + +<p>"Come to the skipper at once," said the mate.</p> + +<p>"Does he want to see me?" said the doctor, languidly, as he entered the +cabin.</p> + +<p>The skipper was lying doubled up in his bunk, his face twisted with pain. +"Doctor," he panted, "give me something quick. There's the medicine- +chest."</p> + +<p>"Do you want some food, sir?" inquired the other, respectfully.</p> + +<p>"Food be damned!" said the sufferer. "I want physic. There's the +medicine-chest." The doctor took it up and held it out to him. "I don't +want the lot," moaned the skipper.</p> + +<p>"I want you to give me something for red-hot corkscrews in the inside."</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon," said the doctor, humbly; "I'm only the cook."</p> + +<p>"If you—don't—prescribe for me at once," said the skipper, "I'll put +you in irons."</p> + +<p>The doctor shook his head. "I shipped as cook," he said, slowly.</p> + +<p>"Give me something, for Heaven's sake!" said the skipper, humbly. "I'm +dying." The doctor pondered.</p> + +<p>"If you dinna treat him at once, I'll break your skull," said the mate, +persuasively.</p> + +<p>The doctor regarded him scornfully, and turned to the writhing skipper.</p> + +<p>"My fee is half a guinea a visit," he said, softly; "five shillings if +you come to me."</p> + +<p>"I'll have half a guinea's worth," said the agonized skipper.</p> + +<p>The doctor took his wrist, and calmly drew the second officer's watch +from its owner's pocket. Then he inspected the sick man's tongue, and +shaking his head, selected a powder from the chest.</p> + +<p>"You mustn't mind its being nasty," he said. "Where's a spoon?"</p> + +<p>He looked round for one, but the skipper took the powder from his hand, +and licked it from the paper as though it had been sherbet.</p> + +<p>"For mercy's sake don't say it's cholera," he gasped.</p> + +<p>"I won't say anything," said the doctor. "Where did you say the money +was?"</p> + +<p>The skipper pointed to his trousers, and Mr. Mackenzie, his national +spirit rising in hot rage, took out the agreed amount and handed it to +the physician.</p> + +<p>"Am I in danger?" said the skipper.</p> + +<p>"There's always danger," said the doctor, in his best bedside manner. +"Have you made your will?"</p> + +<p>The other, turning pale, shook his head. "Perhaps you'd like to see a +solicitor?" said Carson, in winning tones.</p> + +<p>"I'm not bad enough for that," said the skipper, stoutly.</p> + +<p>"You must stay here and nurse the skipper, Mr. Mackenzie," said Carson, +turning to the mate; "and be good enough not to make that snuffling +noise; it's worrying to an invalid."</p> + +<p>"Snuffling noise?" repeated the horror-struck mate.</p> + +<p>"Yes; you've got an unpleasant habit of snuffling," said the doctor; "it +worries me sometimes, I meant to speak to you about it before. You +mustn't do it here. If you want to snuffle, go and snuffle on deck."</p> + +<p>The frenzied outburst of the mate was interrupted by the skipper. "Don't +make that noise in my cabin, Mr. Mackenzie," he said, severely.</p> + +<p>Both mates withdrew in dudgeon, and Carson, after arranging the +sufferer's bedclothes, quitted the cabin and sought his friend. Mr. +Thomson was at first incredulous, but his eyes glistened brightly at the +sight of the half-sovereign.</p> + +<p>"Better hide it," he said, apprehensively; "the skipper 'll have it back +when he gets well; it's the only coin we've got."</p> + +<p>"He won't get well," said Dr. Carson, easily; "not till we get to Hong- +kong, that is."</p> + +<p>"What's the matter with him?" whispered the solicitor.</p> + +<p>The doctor, evading his eye, pulled a long face and shook his head. "It +may be the cooking," he said, slowly. "I'm not a good cook, I admit. It +might be something got into the food from the medicine-chest. I +shouldn't be at all surprised if the mates are taken bad too."</p> + +<p>And indeed at that very moment the boy came rushing to the galley again, +bawling out that Mr. Mackenzie was lying flat on his stomach in his bunk, +punching the air with his fists and rending it with his language. The +second officer appeared on deck as he finished his tale, and glancing +forward, called out loudly for the cook.</p> + +<p>"You're wanted, Frank," said the solicitor.</p> + +<p>"When he calls me doctor, I'll go," said the other, stiffly.</p> + +<p>"<i>Cook!</i>" bawled the second officer. "<i>Cook!</i> COOK!"</p> + +<p>He came running forward, his face red and angry, and his fist doubled. +"Didn't you hear me calling you?" he demanded, fiercely.</p> + +<p>"I've been promoted," said Carson, sweetly. "I'm ship's surgeon now."</p> + +<p>"Come down below at once, or I'll take you there by the scruff of your +neck," vociferated the other.</p> + +<p>"You're not big enough, little man," said the doctor, still smiling. +"Well, well, lead the way, and we'll see what we can do."</p> + +<p>He followed the speechless second officer below, and found the boy's +description of the first officer's state as moonlight unto sunlight, as +water unto wine. Even the second officer was appalled at the spectacle, +and ventured a protest.</p> + +<p>"Gie me something at once," yelled Mr. Mackenzie.</p> + +<p>"Do you wish me to undertake your case?" inquired the doctor, suavely.</p> + +<p>Mr. Mackenzie said that he did, in seven long, abusive, and wicked +sentences.</p> + +<p>"My fee is half a guinea," said the doctor, softly, poor people who +cannot afford more, mates and the like, I sometimes treat for less."</p> + +<p>"I'll die first," howled the mate; "you won't get any money out of me."</p> + +<p>"Very good," said the doctor, and rose to depart.</p> + +<p>"Bring him back, Rogers," yelled the mate; "don't let him go."</p> + +<p>But the second officer, with a strange awesome look in his eyes, was +leaning back in his seat, tightly gripping the edge of the table in both +hands.</p> + +<p>"Come, come," said the doctor, cheerily—"what's this? You mustn't be +ill, Rogers. I want you to nurse these other two."</p> + +<p>The other rose slowly to his feet and eyed him with lack-lustre eyes. +"Tell the third officer to take charge," he said, slowly; "and if he's to +he nurse as well, he's got his hands full."</p> + +<p>The doctor sent the boy to apprise the third officer of his +responsibilities, and then stood watching the extraordinary and snakelike +convolutions of Mr. Mackenzie.</p> + +<p>"How much—did—ye say?" hissed the latter.</p> + +<p>"Poor people," repeated the doctor, with relish, "five shillings a visit; +very poor people, half a crown."</p> + +<p>"I'll have half a crown's worth," moaned the miserable mate.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Mackenzie," said a faint voice from the skipper's cabin.</p> + +<p>"Sir?" yelled the mate, who was in torment.</p> + +<p>"Don't answer me like that, sir," said the skipper, sharply. "Will you +please to remember that I'm ill, and can't bear that horrible noise +you're making?"</p> + +<p>"I'm—ill—too," gasped the mate.</p> + +<p>"Ill? Nonsense!" said the skipper, severely. "We can't both be ill. +How about the ship?"</p> + +<p>There was no reply, but from another cabin the voice of Mr. Rogers was +heard calling wildly for medical aid, and offering impossible sums in +exchange for it. The doctor went from cabin to cabin, and, first +collecting his fees, administered sundry potions to the sufferers; and +then, in his capacity of cook, went forward and made an unsavory mess he +called gruel, which he insisted upon their eating.</p> + +<p>Thanks to his skill, the invalids were freed from the more violent of +their pains, but this freedom was followed by a weakness so alarming that +they could hardly raise their heads from their pillows—a state of things +which excited the intense envy of the third officer, who, owing to his +responsibilities, might just as well have been without one.</p> + +<p>In this state of weakness, and with the fear of impending dissolution +before his eyes, the skipper sent for Mr. Harry Thomson, and after some +comparisons between lawyers and sharks, in which stress was laid upon +certain redeeming features of the latter, paid a guinea and made his +will. His example, save in the amount of the fee, was followed by the +mate; but Mr. Rogers, being approached tentatively by the doctor in his +friend's behalf, shook his head and thanked his stars he had nothing to +leave. He had enjoyed his money, he said.</p> + +<p>They mended slowly as they approached Hong-kong, though a fit of temper +on Mr. Mackenzie's part, during which he threw out ominous hints about +having his money back, led to a regrettable relapse in his case. He was +still in bed when they came to anchor in the harbour; but the skipper and +his second officer were able to go above and exchange congratulations +from adjoining deck-chairs.</p> + +<p>"You are sure it wasn't cholera?" asked the harbour-master's deputy, who +had boarded them in his launch, after he had heard the story.</p> + +<p>"Positive," said Carson.</p> + +<p>"Very fortunate thing they had you on board," said the deputy—"very +fortunate."</p> + +<p>The doctor bowed.</p> + +<p>"Seems so odd, the three of them being down with it," said the other; +"looks as though it's infectious, doesn't it?"</p> + +<p>"I don't think so," said the doctor, accepting with alacrity an offer to +go ashore in the launch and change into some decent clothes. "I think I +know what it was."</p> + + +<a name="009"></a> +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="009.jpg (39K)" src="009.jpg" height="525" width="440"> +</center> +<br><br> + + + +<p>The captain of the <i>Stella</i> pricked up his ears, and the second officer +leaned forward with parted lips. Carson, accompanied by the deputy and +the solicitor, walked toward the launch.</p> + +<p>"What was it?" cried the skipper, anxiously.</p> + +<p>"I think that you ate something that disagreed with you," replied the +doctor, grinning meaningly. "Good-by, captain."</p> + +<p>The master of the <i>Stella</i> made no reply, but rising feebly, tottered to +the side, and shook his fist at the launch as it headed for the shore. +Doctor Carson, who had had a pious upbringing, kissed his hand in return.</p> + + + + + + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of An Adulteration Act, by W.W. Jacobs + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AN ADULTERATION ACT *** + +***** This file should be named 12130-h.htm or 12130-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/2/1/3/12130/ + +Produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Each eBook is in a subdirectory of the same number as the eBook's +eBook number, often in several formats including plain vanilla ASCII, +compressed (zipped), HTML and others. + +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks replace the old file and take over +the old filename and etext number. The replaced older file is renamed. +VERSIONS based on separate sources are treated as new eBooks receiving +new filenames and etext numbers. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + +EBooks posted prior to November 2003, with eBook numbers BELOW #10000, +are filed in directories based on their release date. If you want to +download any of these eBooks directly, rather than using the regular +search system you may utilize the following addresses and just +download by the etext year. + + https://www.gutenberg.org/etext06 + + (Or /etext 05, 04, 03, 02, 01, 00, 99, + 98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 92, 91 or 90) + +EBooks posted since November 2003, with etext numbers OVER #10000, are +filed in a different way. The year of a release date is no longer part +of the directory path. The path is based on the etext number (which is +identical to the filename). The path to the file is made up of single +digits corresponding to all but the last digit in the filename. For +example an eBook of filename 10234 would be found at: + + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/2/3/10234 + +or filename 24689 would be found at: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/4/6/8/24689 + +An alternative method of locating eBooks: + https://www.gutenberg.org/GUTINDEX.ALL + + + + +</pre> + +</body> +</html> diff --git a/12130-h/cover.jpg b/12130-h/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2276c69 --- /dev/null +++ b/12130-h/cover.jpg diff --git a/12130-h/frontis.jpg b/12130-h/frontis.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ed2eb44 --- /dev/null +++ b/12130-h/frontis.jpg diff --git a/12130-h/title.jpg b/12130-h/title.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3eb7cc3 --- /dev/null +++ b/12130-h/title.jpg diff --git a/12130.txt b/12130.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..124c0c3 --- /dev/null +++ b/12130.txt @@ -0,0 +1,970 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of An Adulteration Act, by W.W. Jacobs + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: An Adulteration Act + The Lady of the Barge and Others, Part 10. + +Author: W.W. Jacobs + +Release Date: April 22, 2004 [EBook #12130] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AN ADULTERATION ACT *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + +THE LADY OF THE BARGE + +AND OTHER STORIES + +By W. W. Jacobs + + + + +AN ADULTERATION ACT + + +Dr. Frank Carson had been dreaming tantalizing dreams of cooling, +effervescent beverages. Over and over again in his dreams he had risen +from his bed, and tripping lightly down to the surgery in his pajamas, +mixed himself something long and cool and fizzy, without being able to +bring the dream to a satisfactory termination. + +With a sudden start he awoke. The thirst was still upon him; the +materials for quenching it, just down one flight of stairs. He would +have smacked his lips at the prospect if they had been moist enough to +smack; as it was, he pushed down the bedclothes, and throwing one leg out +of bed-became firmly convinced that he was still dreaming. + +For the atmosphere was stifling and odorous, and the ceiling descended in +an odd bulging curve to within a couple of feet of his head. Still half +asleep, he raised his fist and prodded at it in astonishment--a feeling +which gave way to one of stupefaction as the ceiling took another shape +and swore distinctly. + +"I must be dreaming," mused the doctor; "even the ceiling seems alive." + +He prodded it again-regarding it closely this time. The ceiling at once +rose to greater altitudes, and at the same moment an old face with bushy +whiskers crawled under the edge of it, and asked him profanely what he +meant by it. It also asked him whether he wanted something for himself, +because, if so, he was going the right way to work. + +"Where am I?" demanded the bewildered doctor. "Mary! Mary!" + +He started up in bed, and brought his head in sudden violent contact with +the ceiling. Then, before the indignant ceiling could carry out its +threat of a moment before, he slipped out of bed and stood on a floor +which was in its place one moment and somewhere else the next. + +In the smell of bilge-water, tar, and the foetid atmosphere generally his +clouded brain awoke to the fact that he was on board ship, but resolutely +declined to inform him how he got there. He looked down in disgust at +the ragged clothes which he had on in lieu of the usual pajamas; and +then, as events slowly pieced themselves together in his mind, +remembered, as the last thing that he could remember, that he had warned +his friend Harry Thomson, solicitor, that if he had any more to drink it +would not be good for him. + +He wondered dimly as he stood whether Thomson was there too, and walking +unsteadily round the forecastle, roused the sleepers, one by one, and +asked them whether they were Harry Thomson, all answering with much +fluency in the negative, until he came to one man who for some time made +no answer at all. + +The doctor shook him first and then punched him. Then he shook him again +and gave him little scientific slaps, until at length Harry Thomson, in a +far-away voice, said that he was all right. + +"Well, I'm glad I'm not alone," said the doctor, selfishly. "_Harry! +Harry! Wake up!_" + +"All ri'!" said the sleeper; "I'm all ri'!" + +The doctor shook him again, and then rolled him backward and forward in +his bunk. Under this gentle treatment the solicitor's faculties were +somewhat brightened, and, half opening his eyes, he punched viciously at +the disturber of his peace, until threatening voices from the gloom +promised to murder both of them. + +"Where are we?" demanded the doctor, of a deep voice from the other side +of the forecastle which had been particularly threatening. + +"Barque _Stella,_ o' course," was the reply. "Where'd you think you +was?" + +The doctor gripped the edge of his friend's bunk and tried to think; +then, a feeling of nausea overcoming all others, he clambered hurriedly +up the forecastle ladder and lurched to the side of the vessel. + +He leaned there for some time without moving, a light breeze cooling his +fevered brow, and a small schooner some little distance from them playing +seesaw, as he closed his eyes to the heaving blue sea. Land was +conspicuous by its absence, and with a groan he turned and looked about +him--at the white scrubbed deck, the snowy canvas towering aloft on +lazily creaking spars, and the steersman leaning against the wheel +regarding the officer who stood near by. + +Dr. Carson, feeling a little better, walked sternly aft, the officer +turning round and glancing in surprise at his rags as he approached. + +"I beg your pardon," began the doctor, in superior tones. + +"And what the devil do you want?" demanded the second officer; "who told +you to come along here?" + +"I want to know what this means," said the doctor, fiercely. "How dare +you kidnap us on your beastly bilge-tank?" + +"Man's mad," murmured the astonished second officer. + +"Insufferable outrage!" continued the doctor. "Take us back to +Melbourne at once." + +"You get for'ard," said the other sharply; "get for'ard, and don't let me +have any more of your lip." + +"I want to see the captain of this ship," cried the doctor; "go and fetch +him at once." + +The second officer gazed at him, limp with astonishment, and then turned +to the steersman, as though unable to believe his ears. The steersman +pointed in front of him, and the other gave a cry of surprise and rage as +he saw another tatterdemalion coming with uncertain steps toward him. + +"Carson," said the new arrival, feebly; and coming closer to his friend, +clung to him miserably. + +"I'm just having it out with 'em, Thomson," said the doctor, +energetically. "My friend here is a solicitor. Tell him what 'll happen +if they don't take us back, Harry." + +"You seem to be unaware, my good fellow," said the solicitor, covering a +large hole in the leg of his trousers with his hand, "of the very +dangerous situation in which you have placed yourselves. We have no +desire to be harsh with you--" + +"Not at all," acquiesced the doctor, nodding at the second officer. + +"At the same time," continued Mr. Thomson--"at the--" He let go his +friend's arm and staggered away; the doctor gazed after him +sympathetically. + +[Illustration: HE SAW ANOTHER TATTERDEMALION COMING TOWARDS HIM.] + +"His digestion is not all it should be," he said to the second officer, +confidentially. + +"If you don't get for'ard in two twos," said that gentleman, explosively, +"I'll knock your heads off." + +The doctor gazed at him in haughty disdain, and taking the limp Thomson +by the arm, led him slowly away. + +"How did we get here?" asked Mr. Harry Thomson, feebly. + +The doctor shook his head. + +"How did we get these disgusting clothes on?" continued his friend. + +The doctor shook his head again. "The last thing I can remember, Harry," +he said, slowly, "was imploring you not to drink any more." + +"I didn't hear you," said the solicitor, crustily; "your speech was very +indistinct last night." + +"Seemed so to you, I dare say," said the other. + +Mr. Thomson shook his arm off, and clinging to the mainmast, leaned his +cheek against it and closed his eyes. He opened them again at the sound +of voices, and drew himself up as he saw the second officer coming along +with a stern-visaged man of about fifty. + +"Are you the master of this vessel?" inquired the doctor, stepping to +his friend's side. + +"What the blazes has that got to do with you?" demanded the skipper. +"Look here, my lads; don't you play any of your little games on me, +because they won't do. You're both of you as drunk as owls." + +"Defamation of character," said the solicitor, feebly, to his friend. + +"Allow me," said the doctor, with his best manner, "to inquire what all +this means. I am Dr. Frank Carson, of Melbourne; this gentleman is my +friend Mr. Thomson, of the same place, solicitor." + +"What?" roared the skipper, the veins in his forehead standing out. +"Doctor! Solicitor! Why, you damned rascals, you shipped with me as +cook and A. B." + +"There's some mistake," said the doctor. "I'm afraid I shall have to ask +you to take us back. I hope you haven't come far." + +"Take those scarecrows away," cried the skipper, hoarsely; "take them +away before I do them a mischief. I'll have the law of somebody for +shipping two useless lubbers as seamen. Look to me like pickpockets." + +"You shall answer for this," said Carson, foaming; "we're professional +men, and we're not going to be abused by a bargee." + +"Let him talk," said Mr. Thomson, hurriedly drawing his friend away from +the irate skipper. "Let him talk." + +"I'll put you both in quod when we get to Hong-kong," said the skipper. +"Meantime, no work, no food; d'ye hear? Start and cook the breakfast, +Mr. Doctor; and you. Mr. Lawyer, turn to and ask the boy to teach you an +A. B's duties." + +He walked back to the cabin; and the new cook was slowly pushed toward +the galley by the second officer, the new A. B., under the same gentle +guidance, being conducted back to the forecastle. + +Fortunately for the new seamen the weather continued fine, but the heat +of the galley was declared by the new cook to be insupportable. From the +other hands they learned that they had been shipped with several others +by a resourceful boarding-house master. The other hands, being men of +plain speech, also said that they were brought aboard in a state of +beastly and enviable intoxication, and chaffed crudely when the doctor +attributed their apparent state of intoxication to drugs. + +"You say you're a doctor?" said the oldest seaman. + +"I am," said Carson, fiercely. + +"Wot sort of a doctor are you, if you don't know when your licker's been +played with, then?" asked the old man, as a grin passed slowly from mouth +to mouth. + +"I suppose it is because I drink so seldom," said the doctor, loftily. +"I hardly know the taste of liquor myself, while as for my friend Mr. +Thomson, you might almost call him a teetotaler. + +"Next door to one," said the solicitor, who was sewing a patch on his +trousers, as he looked up approvingly. + +"You might call 'im a sailor, if you liked," said another seaman, "but +that wouldn't make him one. All I can say is I never 'ad enough time or +money to get in the state you was both in when you come aboard." + +If the forecastle was incredulous, the cabin was worse. The officers at +first took but little notice of them, but feeling their torn and tattered +appearance was against them, they put on so many airs and graces to +counteract this that flesh and blood could not endure it quietly. The +cook would allude to his friend as Mr. Thomson, while the A. B. would +persist in referring, with a most affected utterance, to Dr. Carson. + +"Cook!" bawled the skipper one day when they were about a week out. + +Dr. Carson, who was peeling potatoes, stepped slowly out of the galley +and went toward him. + +"You say 'Sir,' when you're spoken to," said the skipper, fiercely. + +The doctor sneered. + +"My --- if you sneer at me, I'll knock your head off!" said the other, +with a wicked look. + +"When you get back to Melbourne," said the doctor, quietly, "you'll hear +more of this." + +"You're a couple of pickpockets aping the gentleman," said the skipper, +and he turned to the mate. "Mr. Mackenzie, what do these two ragamuffins +look like?" + +"Pickpockets," said the mate, dutifully. + +"It's a very handy thing," said the old man, jeeringly, "to have a doctor +aboard. First time I've carried a surgeon." + +Mr. Mackenzie guffawed loudly. + +"And a solicitor," said the skipper, gazing darkly at the hapless Harry +Thomson, who was cleaning brasswork. "Handy in case of disputes. He's a +real sea lawyer. _Cook!_" + +"Sir?" said the doctor, quietly. + +"Go down and tidy my cabin, and see you do it well." + +The doctor went below without a word, and worked like a housemaid. When +he came on deck again, his face wore a smile almost of happiness, and his +hand caressed one trousers pocket as though it concealed a hidden weapon. + +For the following three or four days the two unfortunates were worked +unceasingly. Mr. Thomson complained bitterly, but the cook wore a +sphinx-like smile and tried to comfort him. + +"It won't be for long, Harry," he said, consolingly. + +The solicitor sniffed. "I could write tract after tract on temperance," +he said, bitterly. "I wonder what our poor wives are thinking? I expect +they have put us down as dead." + +"Crying their eyes out," said the doctor, wistfully; "but they'll dry +them precious quick when we get back, and ask all sorts of questions. +What are you going to say, Harry?" + +"The truth," said the solicitor, virtuously. + +"So am I," said his friend; "but mind, we must both tell the same tale, +whatever it is. Halloa! what's the matter?" + +"It's the skipper," said the boy, who had just run up; "he wants to see +you at once. He's dying." + +He caught hold of the doctor by the sleeve; but Carson, in his most +professional manner, declined to be hurried. He went leisurely down the +companion-ladder, and met with a careless glance the concerned faces of +the mate and second officer. + +"Come to the skipper at once," said the mate. + +"Does he want to see me?" said the doctor, languidly, as he entered the +cabin. + +The skipper was lying doubled up in his bunk, his face twisted with pain. +"Doctor," he panted, "give me something quick. There's the medicine- +chest." + +"Do you want some food, sir?" inquired the other, respectfully. + +"Food be damned!" said the sufferer. "I want physic. There's the +medicine-chest." The doctor took it up and held it out to him. "I don't +want the lot," moaned the skipper. + +"I want you to give me something for red-hot corkscrews in the inside." + +"I beg your pardon," said the doctor, humbly; "I'm only the cook." + +"If you--don't--prescribe for me at once," said the skipper, "I'll put +you in irons." + +The doctor shook his head. "I shipped as cook," he said, slowly. + +"Give me something, for Heaven's sake!" said the skipper, humbly. "I'm +dying." The doctor pondered. + +"If you dinna treat him at once, I'll break your skull," said the mate, +persuasively. + +The doctor regarded him scornfully, and turned to the writhing skipper. + +"My fee is half a guinea a visit," he said, softly; "five shillings if +you come to me." + +"I'll have half a guinea's worth," said the agonized skipper. + +The doctor took his wrist, and calmly drew the second officer's watch +from its owner's pocket. Then he inspected the sick man's tongue, and +shaking his head, selected a powder from the chest. + +"You mustn't mind its being nasty," he said. "Where's a spoon?" + +He looked round for one, but the skipper took the powder from his hand, +and licked it from the paper as though it had been sherbet. + +"For mercy's sake don't say it's cholera," he gasped. + +"I won't say anything," said the doctor. "Where did you say the money +was?" + +The skipper pointed to his trousers, and Mr. Mackenzie, his national +spirit rising in hot rage, took out the agreed amount and handed it to +the physician. + +"Am I in danger?" said the skipper. + +"There's always danger," said the doctor, in his best bedside manner. +"Have you made your will?" + +The other, turning pale, shook his head. "Perhaps you'd like to see a +solicitor?" said Carson, in winning tones. + +"I'm not bad enough for that," said the skipper, stoutly. + +"You must stay here and nurse the skipper, Mr. Mackenzie," said Carson, +turning to the mate; "and be good enough not to make that snuffling +noise; it's worrying to an invalid." + +"Snuffling noise?" repeated the horror-struck mate. + +"Yes; you've got an unpleasant habit of snuffling," said the doctor; "it +worries me sometimes, I meant to speak to you about it before. You +mustn't do it here. If you want to snuffle, go and snuffle on deck." + +The frenzied outburst of the mate was interrupted by the skipper. "Don't +make that noise in my cabin, Mr. Mackenzie," he said, severely. + +Both mates withdrew in dudgeon, and Carson, after arranging the +sufferer's bedclothes, quitted the cabin and sought his friend. Mr. +Thomson was at first incredulous, but his eyes glistened brightly at the +sight of the half-sovereign. + +"Better hide it," he said, apprehensively; "the skipper 'll have it back +when he gets well; it's the only coin we've got." + +"He won't get well," said Dr. Carson, easily; "not till we get to Hong- +kong, that is." + +"What's the matter with him?" whispered the solicitor. + +The doctor, evading his eye, pulled a long face and shook his head. "It +may be the cooking," he said, slowly. "I'm not a good cook, I admit. It +might be something got into the food from the medicine-chest. I +shouldn't be at all surprised if the mates are taken bad too." + +And indeed at that very moment the boy came rushing to the galley again, +bawling out that Mr. Mackenzie was lying flat on his stomach in his bunk, +punching the air with his fists and rending it with his language. The +second officer appeared on deck as he finished his tale, and glancing +forward, called out loudly for the cook. + +"You're wanted, Frank," said the solicitor. + +"When he calls me doctor, I'll go," said the other, stiffly. + +"_Cook!_" bawled the second officer. "_Cook!_ COOK!" + +He came running forward, his face red and angry, and his fist doubled. +"Didn't you hear me calling you?" he demanded, fiercely. + +"I've been promoted," said Carson, sweetly. "I'm ship's surgeon now." + +"Come down below at once, or I'll take you there by the scruff of your +neck," vociferated the other. + +"You're not big enough, little man," said the doctor, still smiling. +"Well, well, lead the way, and we'll see what we can do." + +He followed the speechless second officer below, and found the boy's +description of the first officer's state as moonlight unto sunlight, as +water unto wine. Even the second officer was appalled at the spectacle, +and ventured a protest. + +"Gie me something at once," yelled Mr. Mackenzie. + +"Do you wish me to undertake your case?" inquired the doctor, suavely. + +Mr. Mackenzie said that he did, in seven long, abusive, and wicked +sentences. + +"My fee is half a guinea," said the doctor, softly, poor people who +cannot afford more, mates and the like, I sometimes treat for less." + +"I'll die first," howled the mate; "you won't get any money out of me." + +"Very good," said the doctor, and rose to depart. + +"Bring him back, Rogers," yelled the mate; "don't let him go." + +But the second officer, with a strange awesome look in his eyes, was +leaning back in his seat, tightly gripping the edge of the table in both +hands. + +"Come, come," said the doctor, cheerily--"what's this? You mustn't be +ill, Rogers. I want you to nurse these other two." + +The other rose slowly to his feet and eyed him with lack-lustre eyes. +"Tell the third officer to take charge," he said, slowly; "and if he's to +he nurse as well, he's got his hands full." + +The doctor sent the boy to apprise the third officer of his +responsibilities, and then stood watching the extraordinary and snakelike +convolutions of Mr. Mackenzie. + +"How much--did--ye say?" hissed the latter. + +"Poor people," repeated the doctor, with relish, "five shillings a visit; +very poor people, half a crown." + +"I'll have half a crown's worth," moaned the miserable mate. + +"Mr. Mackenzie," said a faint voice from the skipper's cabin. + +"Sir?" yelled the mate, who was in torment. + +"Don't answer me like that, sir," said the skipper, sharply. "Will you +please to remember that I'm ill, and can't bear that horrible noise +you're making?" + +"I'm--ill--too," gasped the mate. + +"Ill? Nonsense!" said the skipper, severely. "We can't both be ill. +How about the ship?" + +There was no reply, but from another cabin the voice of Mr. Rogers was +heard calling wildly for medical aid, and offering impossible sums in +exchange for it. The doctor went from cabin to cabin, and, first +collecting his fees, administered sundry potions to the sufferers; and +then, in his capacity of cook, went forward and made an unsavory mess he +called gruel, which he insisted upon their eating. + +Thanks to his skill, the invalids were freed from the more violent of +their pains, but this freedom was followed by a weakness so alarming that +they could hardly raise their heads from their pillows--a state of things +which excited the intense envy of the third officer, who, owing to his +responsibilities, might just as well have been without one. + +In this state of weakness, and with the fear of impending dissolution +before his eyes, the skipper sent for Mr. Harry Thomson, and after some +comparisons between lawyers and sharks, in which stress was laid upon +certain redeeming features of the latter, paid a guinea and made his +will. His example, save in the amount of the fee, was followed by the +mate; but Mr. Rogers, being approached tentatively by the doctor in his +friend's behalf, shook his head and thanked his stars he had nothing to +leave. He had enjoyed his money, he said. + +They mended slowly as they approached Hong-kong, though a fit of temper +on Mr. Mackenzie's part, during which he threw out ominous hints about +having his money back, led to a regrettable relapse in his case. He was +still in bed when they came to anchor in the harbour; but the skipper and +his second officer were able to go above and exchange congratulations +from adjoining deck-chairs. + +"You are sure it wasn't cholera?" asked the harbour-master's deputy, who +had boarded them in his launch, after he had heard the story. + +"Positive," said Carson. + +"Very fortunate thing they had you on board," said the deputy--"very +fortunate." + +The doctor bowed. + +"Seems so odd, the three of them being down with it," said the other; +"looks as though it's infectious, doesn't it?" + +"I don't think so," said the doctor, accepting with alacrity an offer to +go ashore in the launch and change into some decent clothes. "I think I +know what it was." + +The captain of the _Stella_ pricked up his ears, and the second officer +leaned forward with parted lips. Carson, accompanied by the deputy and +the solicitor, walked toward the launch. + +"What was it?" cried the skipper, anxiously. + +[Illustration: THE SECOND OFFICER LEANED FORWARD] + +"I think that you ate something that disagreed with you," replied the +doctor, grinning meaningly. "Good-by, captain." + +The master of the _Stella_ made no reply, but rising feebly, tottered to +the side, and shook his fist at the launch as it headed for the shore. +Doctor Carson, who had had a pious upbringing, kissed his hand in return. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of An Adulteration Act, by W.W. Jacobs + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AN ADULTERATION ACT *** + +***** This file should be named 12130.txt or 12130.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/2/1/3/12130/ + +Produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Each eBook is in a subdirectory of the same number as the eBook's +eBook number, often in several formats including plain vanilla ASCII, +compressed (zipped), HTML and others. + +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks replace the old file and take over +the old filename and etext number. The replaced older file is renamed. +VERSIONS based on separate sources are treated as new eBooks receiving +new filenames and etext numbers. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + +EBooks posted prior to November 2003, with eBook numbers BELOW #10000, +are filed in directories based on their release date. If you want to +download any of these eBooks directly, rather than using the regular +search system you may utilize the following addresses and just +download by the etext year. + + https://www.gutenberg.org/etext06 + + (Or /etext 05, 04, 03, 02, 01, 00, 99, + 98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 92, 91 or 90) + +EBooks posted since November 2003, with etext numbers OVER #10000, are +filed in a different way. The year of a release date is no longer part +of the directory path. The path is based on the etext number (which is +identical to the filename). The path to the file is made up of single +digits corresponding to all but the last digit in the filename. For +example an eBook of filename 10234 would be found at: + + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/2/3/10234 + +or filename 24689 would be found at: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/4/6/8/24689 + +An alternative method of locating eBooks: + https://www.gutenberg.org/GUTINDEX.ALL + + diff --git a/12130.zip b/12130.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..94c944a --- /dev/null +++ b/12130.zip diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..990f95e --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #12130 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/12130) diff --git a/old/12130-h.zip b/old/12130-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..91ccf28 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/12130-h.zip diff --git a/old/12130-h/007.jpg b/old/12130-h/007.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..7dcad71 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/12130-h/007.jpg diff --git a/old/12130-h/008.jpg b/old/12130-h/008.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..170f688 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/12130-h/008.jpg diff --git a/old/12130-h/009.jpg b/old/12130-h/009.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c3cb6aa --- /dev/null +++ b/old/12130-h/009.jpg diff --git a/old/12130-h/12130-h.htm b/old/12130-h/12130-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d48f4ce --- /dev/null +++ b/old/12130-h/12130-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,1074 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> +<head> +<title>THE LADY OF THE BARGE AND OTHERS, Book 10</title> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"> +<style type="text/css"> +<!-- +body {margin:10%; text-align:justify} +img {border: 0;} +--> +</style> +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of An Adulteration Act, by W.W. Jacobs + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: An Adulteration Act + The Lady of the Barge and Others, Part 10. + +Author: W.W. Jacobs + +Release Date: April 22, 2004 [EBook #12130] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: US-ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AN ADULTERATION ACT *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + + + +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="cover.jpg (102K)" src="cover.jpg" height="923" width="738"> +</center> +<br><br> + + +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="title.jpg (40K)" src="title.jpg" height="602" width="442"> +</center> +<br><br> + + + +<center> +<h1>THE LADY OF THE BARGE<br><br> +AND OTHER STORIES</h1> +<br><br> +<h2>By W. W. Jacobs</h2> +<br><br> +<h3>BOOK 10</h3> +<br><br> +</center> + +<a name="frontis"></a> +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="frontis.jpg (80K)" src="frontis.jpg" height="742" width="503"> +</center> +<br><br> + + +<br><br><br><br> + + + + + +<br><br><hr><br><br> + + +<a name="c10"></a> +<br><br> +<center> +<h2> +AN ADULTERATION ACT +</h2> +</center> +<br> + +<p>Dr. Frank Carson had been dreaming tantalizing dreams of cooling, +effervescent beverages. Over and over again in his dreams he had risen +from his bed, and tripping lightly down to the surgery in his pajamas, +mixed himself something long and cool and fizzy, without being able to +bring the dream to a satisfactory termination.</p> + +<p>With a sudden start he awoke. The thirst was still upon him; the +materials for quenching it, just down one flight of stairs. He would +have smacked his lips at the prospect if they had been moist enough to +smack; as it was, he pushed down the bedclothes, and throwing one leg out +of bed-became firmly convinced that he was still dreaming.</p> + +<p>For the atmosphere was stifling and odorous, and the ceiling descended in +an odd bulging curve to within a couple of feet of his head. Still half +asleep, he raised his fist and prodded at it in astonishment—a feeling +which gave way to one of stupefaction as the ceiling took another shape +and swore distinctly.</p> + +<p>"I must be dreaming," mused the doctor; "even the ceiling seems alive."</p> + +<p>He prodded it again-regarding it closely this time. The ceiling at once +rose to greater altitudes, and at the same moment an old face with bushy +whiskers crawled under the edge of it, and asked him profanely what he +meant by it. It also asked him whether he wanted something for himself, +because, if so, he was going the right way to work.</p> + +<p>"Where am I?" demanded the bewildered doctor. "Mary! Mary!"</p> + +<p>He started up in bed, and brought his head in sudden violent contact with +the ceiling. Then, before the indignant ceiling could carry out its +threat of a moment before, he slipped out of bed and stood on a floor +which was in its place one moment and somewhere else the next.</p> + +<p>In the smell of bilge-water, tar, and the foetid atmosphere generally his +clouded brain awoke to the fact that he was on board ship, but resolutely +declined to inform him how he got there. He looked down in disgust at +the ragged clothes which he had on in lieu of the usual pajamas; and +then, as events slowly pieced themselves together in his mind, +remembered, as the last thing that he could remember, that he had warned +his friend Harry Thomson, solicitor, that if he had any more to drink it +would not be good for him.</p> + +<p>He wondered dimly as he stood whether Thomson was there too, and walking +unsteadily round the forecastle, roused the sleepers, one by one, and +asked them whether they were Harry Thomson, all answering with much +fluency in the negative, until he came to one man who for some time made +no answer at all.</p> + +<p>The doctor shook him first and then punched him. Then he shook him again +and gave him little scientific slaps, until at length Harry Thomson, in a +far-away voice, said that he was all right.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm glad I'm not alone," said the doctor, selfishly. "<i>Harry! +Harry! Wake up!</i>"</p> + +<p>"All ri'!" said the sleeper; "I'm all ri'!"</p> + +<p>The doctor shook him again, and then rolled him backward and forward in +his bunk. Under this gentle treatment the solicitor's faculties were +somewhat brightened, and, half opening his eyes, he punched viciously at +the disturber of his peace, until threatening voices from the gloom +promised to murder both of them.</p> + +<p>"Where are we?" demanded the doctor, of a deep voice from the other side +of the forecastle which had been particularly threatening.</p> + +<p>"Barque <i>Stella,</i> o' course," was the reply. "Where'd you think you +was?"</p> + +<p>The doctor gripped the edge of his friend's bunk and tried to think; +then, a feeling of nausea overcoming all others, he clambered hurriedly +up the forecastle ladder and lurched to the side of the vessel.</p> + +<p>He leaned there for some time without moving, a light breeze cooling his +fevered brow, and a small schooner some little distance from them playing +seesaw, as he closed his eyes to the heaving blue sea. Land was +conspicuous by its absence, and with a groan he turned and looked about +him—at the white scrubbed deck, the snowy canvas towering aloft on +lazily creaking spars, and the steersman leaning against the wheel +regarding the officer who stood near by.</p> + +<p>Dr. Carson, feeling a little better, walked sternly aft, the officer +turning round and glancing in surprise at his rags as he approached.</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon," began the doctor, in superior tones.</p> + +<p>"And what the devil do you want?" demanded the second officer; "who told +you to come along here?"</p> + +<p>"I want to know what this means," said the doctor, fiercely. "How dare +you kidnap us on your beastly bilge-tank?"</p> + +<p>"Man's mad," murmured the astonished second officer.</p> + +<p>"Insufferable outrage!" continued the doctor. "Take us back to +Melbourne at once."</p> + +<p>"You get for'ard," said the other sharply; "get for'ard, and don't let me +have any more of your lip."</p> + +<p>"I want to see the captain of this ship," cried the doctor; "go and fetch +him at once."</p> + +<a name="007"></a> +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="007.jpg (100K)" src="007.jpg" height="779" width="542"> +</center> +<br><br> + + +<p>The second officer gazed at him, limp with astonishment, and then turned +to the steersman, as though unable to believe his ears. The steersman +pointed in front of him, and the other gave a cry of surprise and rage as +he saw another tatterdemalion coming with uncertain steps toward him.</p> + +<p>"Carson," said the new arrival, feebly; and coming closer to his friend, +clung to him miserably.</p> + +<p>"I'm just having it out with 'em, Thomson," said the doctor, +energetically. "My friend here is a solicitor. Tell him what 'll happen +if they don't take us back, Harry."</p> + +<p>"You seem to be unaware, my good fellow," said the solicitor, covering a +large hole in the leg of his trousers with his hand, "of the very +dangerous situation in which you have placed yourselves. We have no +desire to be harsh with you—"</p> + +<p>"Not at all," acquiesced the doctor, nodding at the second officer.</p> + +<p>"At the same time," continued Mr. Thomson—"at the—" He let go his +friend's arm and staggered away; the doctor gazed after him +sympathetically.</p> + +<p>"His digestion is not all it should be," he said to the second officer, +confidentially.</p> + +<p>"If you don't get for'ard in two twos," said that gentleman, explosively, +"I'll knock your heads off."</p> + +<p>The doctor gazed at him in haughty disdain, and taking the limp Thomson +by the arm, led him slowly away.</p> + +<p>"How did we get here?" asked Mr. Harry Thomson, feebly.</p> + +<p>The doctor shook his head.</p> + +<p>"How did we get these disgusting clothes on?" continued his friend.</p> + +<p>The doctor shook his head again. "The last thing I can remember, Harry," +he said, slowly, "was imploring you not to drink any more."</p> + +<p>"I didn't hear you," said the solicitor, crustily; "your speech was very +indistinct last night."</p> + +<p>"Seemed so to you, I dare say," said the other.</p> + +<p>Mr. Thomson shook his arm off, and clinging to the mainmast, leaned his +cheek against it and closed his eyes. He opened them again at the sound +of voices, and drew himself up as he saw the second officer coming along +with a stern-visaged man of about fifty.</p> + +<p>"Are you the master of this vessel?" inquired the doctor, stepping to +his friend's side.</p> + +<p>"What the blazes has that got to do with you?" demanded the skipper. +"Look here, my lads; don't you play any of your little games on me, +because they won't do. You're both of you as drunk as owls."</p> + +<p>"Defamation of character," said the solicitor, feebly, to his friend.</p> + +<p>"Allow me," said the doctor, with his best manner, "to inquire what all +this means. I am Dr. Frank Carson, of Melbourne; this gentleman is my +friend Mr. Thomson, of the same place, solicitor."</p> + +<p>"What?" roared the skipper, the veins in his forehead standing out. +"Doctor! Solicitor! Why, you damned rascals, you shipped with me as +cook and A. B."</p> + +<p>"There's some mistake," said the doctor. "I'm afraid I shall have to ask +you to take us back. I hope you haven't come far."</p> + +<p>"Take those scarecrows away," cried the skipper, hoarsely; "take them +away before I do them a mischief. I'll have the law of somebody for +shipping two useless lubbers as seamen. Look to me like pickpockets."</p> + +<p>"You shall answer for this," said Carson, foaming; "we're professional +men, and we're not going to be abused by a bargee."</p> + +<p>"Let him talk," said Mr. Thomson, hurriedly drawing his friend away from +the irate skipper. "Let him talk."</p> + +<p>"I'll put you both in quod when we get to Hong-kong," said the skipper. +"Meantime, no work, no food; d'ye hear? Start and cook the breakfast, +Mr. Doctor; and you. Mr. Lawyer, turn to and ask the boy to teach you an +A. B's duties."</p> + +<p>He walked back to the cabin; and the new cook was slowly pushed toward +the galley by the second officer, the new A. B., under the same gentle +guidance, being conducted back to the forecastle.</p> + +<p>Fortunately for the new seamen the weather continued fine, but the heat +of the galley was declared by the new cook to be insupportable. From the +other hands they learned that they had been shipped with several others +by a resourceful boarding-house master. The other hands, being men of +plain speech, also said that they were brought aboard in a state of +beastly and enviable intoxication, and chaffed crudely when the doctor +attributed their apparent state of intoxication to drugs.</p> + + +<a name="008"></a> +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="008.jpg (80K)" src="008.jpg" height="873" width="469"> +</center> +<br><br> + + +<p>"You say you're a doctor?" said the oldest seaman.</p> + +<p>"I am," said Carson, fiercely.</p> + +<p>"Wot sort of a doctor are you, if you don't know when your licker's been +played with, then?" asked the old man, as a grin passed slowly from mouth +to mouth.</p> + +<p>"I suppose it is because I drink so seldom," said the doctor, loftily. +"I hardly know the taste of liquor myself, while as for my friend Mr. +Thomson, you might almost call him a teetotaler.</p> + +<p>"Next door to one," said the solicitor, who was sewing a patch on his +trousers, as he looked up approvingly.</p> + +<p>"You might call 'im a sailor, if you liked," said another seaman, "but +that wouldn't make him one. All I can say is I never 'ad enough time or +money to get in the state you was both in when you come aboard."</p> + +<p>If the forecastle was incredulous, the cabin was worse. The officers at +first took but little notice of them, but feeling their torn and tattered +appearance was against them, they put on so many airs and graces to +counteract this that flesh and blood could not endure it quietly. The +cook would allude to his friend as Mr. Thomson, while the A. B. would +persist in referring, with a most affected utterance, to Dr. Carson.</p> + +<p>"Cook!" bawled the skipper one day when they were about a week out.</p> + +<p>Dr. Carson, who was peeling potatoes, stepped slowly out of the galley +and went toward him.</p> + +<p>"You say 'Sir,' when you're spoken to," said the skipper, fiercely.</p> + +<p>The doctor sneered.</p> + +<p>"My — if you sneer at me, I'll knock your head off!" said the other, +with a wicked look.</p> + +<p>"When you get back to Melbourne," said the doctor, quietly, "you'll hear +more of this."</p> + +<p>"You're a couple of pickpockets aping the gentleman," said the skipper, +and he turned to the mate. "Mr. Mackenzie, what do these two ragamuffins +look like?"</p> + +<p>"Pickpockets," said the mate, dutifully.</p> + +<p>"It's a very handy thing," said the old man, jeeringly, "to have a doctor +aboard. First time I've carried a surgeon."</p> + +<p>Mr. Mackenzie guffawed loudly.</p> + +<p>"And a solicitor," said the skipper, gazing darkly at the hapless Harry +Thomson, who was cleaning brasswork. "Handy in case of disputes. He's a +real sea lawyer. <i>Cook!</i>"</p> + +<p>"Sir?" said the doctor, quietly.</p> + +<p>"Go down and tidy my cabin, and see you do it well."</p> + +<p>The doctor went below without a word, and worked like a housemaid. When +he came on deck again, his face wore a smile almost of happiness, and his +hand caressed one trousers pocket as though it concealed a hidden weapon.</p> + +<p>For the following three or four days the two unfortunates were worked +unceasingly. Mr. Thomson complained bitterly, but the cook wore a +sphinx-like smile and tried to comfort him.</p> + +<p>"It won't be for long, Harry," he said, consolingly.</p> + +<p>The solicitor sniffed. "I could write tract after tract on temperance," +he said, bitterly. "I wonder what our poor wives are thinking? I expect +they have put us down as dead."</p> + +<p>"Crying their eyes out," said the doctor, wistfully; "but they'll dry +them precious quick when we get back, and ask all sorts of questions. +What are you going to say, Harry?"</p> + +<p>"The truth," said the solicitor, virtuously.</p> + +<p>"So am I," said his friend; "but mind, we must both tell the same tale, +whatever it is. Halloa! what's the matter?"</p> + +<p>"It's the skipper," said the boy, who had just run up; "he wants to see +you at once. He's dying."</p> + +<p>He caught hold of the doctor by the sleeve; but Carson, in his most +professional manner, declined to be hurried. He went leisurely down the +companion-ladder, and met with a careless glance the concerned faces of +the mate and second officer.</p> + +<p>"Come to the skipper at once," said the mate.</p> + +<p>"Does he want to see me?" said the doctor, languidly, as he entered the +cabin.</p> + +<p>The skipper was lying doubled up in his bunk, his face twisted with pain. +"Doctor," he panted, "give me something quick. There's the medicine- +chest."</p> + +<p>"Do you want some food, sir?" inquired the other, respectfully.</p> + +<p>"Food be damned!" said the sufferer. "I want physic. There's the +medicine-chest." The doctor took it up and held it out to him. "I don't +want the lot," moaned the skipper.</p> + +<p>"I want you to give me something for red-hot corkscrews in the inside."</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon," said the doctor, humbly; "I'm only the cook."</p> + +<p>"If you—don't—prescribe for me at once," said the skipper, "I'll put +you in irons."</p> + +<p>The doctor shook his head. "I shipped as cook," he said, slowly.</p> + +<p>"Give me something, for Heaven's sake!" said the skipper, humbly. "I'm +dying." The doctor pondered.</p> + +<p>"If you dinna treat him at once, I'll break your skull," said the mate, +persuasively.</p> + +<p>The doctor regarded him scornfully, and turned to the writhing skipper.</p> + +<p>"My fee is half a guinea a visit," he said, softly; "five shillings if +you come to me."</p> + +<p>"I'll have half a guinea's worth," said the agonized skipper.</p> + +<p>The doctor took his wrist, and calmly drew the second officer's watch +from its owner's pocket. Then he inspected the sick man's tongue, and +shaking his head, selected a powder from the chest.</p> + +<p>"You mustn't mind its being nasty," he said. "Where's a spoon?"</p> + +<p>He looked round for one, but the skipper took the powder from his hand, +and licked it from the paper as though it had been sherbet.</p> + +<p>"For mercy's sake don't say it's cholera," he gasped.</p> + +<p>"I won't say anything," said the doctor. "Where did you say the money +was?"</p> + +<p>The skipper pointed to his trousers, and Mr. Mackenzie, his national +spirit rising in hot rage, took out the agreed amount and handed it to +the physician.</p> + +<p>"Am I in danger?" said the skipper.</p> + +<p>"There's always danger," said the doctor, in his best bedside manner. +"Have you made your will?"</p> + +<p>The other, turning pale, shook his head. "Perhaps you'd like to see a +solicitor?" said Carson, in winning tones.</p> + +<p>"I'm not bad enough for that," said the skipper, stoutly.</p> + +<p>"You must stay here and nurse the skipper, Mr. Mackenzie," said Carson, +turning to the mate; "and be good enough not to make that snuffling +noise; it's worrying to an invalid."</p> + +<p>"Snuffling noise?" repeated the horror-struck mate.</p> + +<p>"Yes; you've got an unpleasant habit of snuffling," said the doctor; "it +worries me sometimes, I meant to speak to you about it before. You +mustn't do it here. If you want to snuffle, go and snuffle on deck."</p> + +<p>The frenzied outburst of the mate was interrupted by the skipper. "Don't +make that noise in my cabin, Mr. Mackenzie," he said, severely.</p> + +<p>Both mates withdrew in dudgeon, and Carson, after arranging the +sufferer's bedclothes, quitted the cabin and sought his friend. Mr. +Thomson was at first incredulous, but his eyes glistened brightly at the +sight of the half-sovereign.</p> + +<p>"Better hide it," he said, apprehensively; "the skipper 'll have it back +when he gets well; it's the only coin we've got."</p> + +<p>"He won't get well," said Dr. Carson, easily; "not till we get to Hong- +kong, that is."</p> + +<p>"What's the matter with him?" whispered the solicitor.</p> + +<p>The doctor, evading his eye, pulled a long face and shook his head. "It +may be the cooking," he said, slowly. "I'm not a good cook, I admit. It +might be something got into the food from the medicine-chest. I +shouldn't be at all surprised if the mates are taken bad too."</p> + +<p>And indeed at that very moment the boy came rushing to the galley again, +bawling out that Mr. Mackenzie was lying flat on his stomach in his bunk, +punching the air with his fists and rending it with his language. The +second officer appeared on deck as he finished his tale, and glancing +forward, called out loudly for the cook.</p> + +<p>"You're wanted, Frank," said the solicitor.</p> + +<p>"When he calls me doctor, I'll go," said the other, stiffly.</p> + +<p>"<i>Cook!</i>" bawled the second officer. "<i>Cook!</i> COOK!"</p> + +<p>He came running forward, his face red and angry, and his fist doubled. +"Didn't you hear me calling you?" he demanded, fiercely.</p> + +<p>"I've been promoted," said Carson, sweetly. "I'm ship's surgeon now."</p> + +<p>"Come down below at once, or I'll take you there by the scruff of your +neck," vociferated the other.</p> + +<p>"You're not big enough, little man," said the doctor, still smiling. +"Well, well, lead the way, and we'll see what we can do."</p> + +<p>He followed the speechless second officer below, and found the boy's +description of the first officer's state as moonlight unto sunlight, as +water unto wine. Even the second officer was appalled at the spectacle, +and ventured a protest.</p> + +<p>"Gie me something at once," yelled Mr. Mackenzie.</p> + +<p>"Do you wish me to undertake your case?" inquired the doctor, suavely.</p> + +<p>Mr. Mackenzie said that he did, in seven long, abusive, and wicked +sentences.</p> + +<p>"My fee is half a guinea," said the doctor, softly, poor people who +cannot afford more, mates and the like, I sometimes treat for less."</p> + +<p>"I'll die first," howled the mate; "you won't get any money out of me."</p> + +<p>"Very good," said the doctor, and rose to depart.</p> + +<p>"Bring him back, Rogers," yelled the mate; "don't let him go."</p> + +<p>But the second officer, with a strange awesome look in his eyes, was +leaning back in his seat, tightly gripping the edge of the table in both +hands.</p> + +<p>"Come, come," said the doctor, cheerily—"what's this? You mustn't be +ill, Rogers. I want you to nurse these other two."</p> + +<p>The other rose slowly to his feet and eyed him with lack-lustre eyes. +"Tell the third officer to take charge," he said, slowly; "and if he's to +he nurse as well, he's got his hands full."</p> + +<p>The doctor sent the boy to apprise the third officer of his +responsibilities, and then stood watching the extraordinary and snakelike +convolutions of Mr. Mackenzie.</p> + +<p>"How much—did—ye say?" hissed the latter.</p> + +<p>"Poor people," repeated the doctor, with relish, "five shillings a visit; +very poor people, half a crown."</p> + +<p>"I'll have half a crown's worth," moaned the miserable mate.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Mackenzie," said a faint voice from the skipper's cabin.</p> + +<p>"Sir?" yelled the mate, who was in torment.</p> + +<p>"Don't answer me like that, sir," said the skipper, sharply. "Will you +please to remember that I'm ill, and can't bear that horrible noise +you're making?"</p> + +<p>"I'm—ill—too," gasped the mate.</p> + +<p>"Ill? Nonsense!" said the skipper, severely. "We can't both be ill. +How about the ship?"</p> + +<p>There was no reply, but from another cabin the voice of Mr. Rogers was +heard calling wildly for medical aid, and offering impossible sums in +exchange for it. The doctor went from cabin to cabin, and, first +collecting his fees, administered sundry potions to the sufferers; and +then, in his capacity of cook, went forward and made an unsavory mess he +called gruel, which he insisted upon their eating.</p> + +<p>Thanks to his skill, the invalids were freed from the more violent of +their pains, but this freedom was followed by a weakness so alarming that +they could hardly raise their heads from their pillows—a state of things +which excited the intense envy of the third officer, who, owing to his +responsibilities, might just as well have been without one.</p> + +<p>In this state of weakness, and with the fear of impending dissolution +before his eyes, the skipper sent for Mr. Harry Thomson, and after some +comparisons between lawyers and sharks, in which stress was laid upon +certain redeeming features of the latter, paid a guinea and made his +will. His example, save in the amount of the fee, was followed by the +mate; but Mr. Rogers, being approached tentatively by the doctor in his +friend's behalf, shook his head and thanked his stars he had nothing to +leave. He had enjoyed his money, he said.</p> + +<p>They mended slowly as they approached Hong-kong, though a fit of temper +on Mr. Mackenzie's part, during which he threw out ominous hints about +having his money back, led to a regrettable relapse in his case. He was +still in bed when they came to anchor in the harbour; but the skipper and +his second officer were able to go above and exchange congratulations +from adjoining deck-chairs.</p> + +<p>"You are sure it wasn't cholera?" asked the harbour-master's deputy, who +had boarded them in his launch, after he had heard the story.</p> + +<p>"Positive," said Carson.</p> + +<p>"Very fortunate thing they had you on board," said the deputy—"very +fortunate."</p> + +<p>The doctor bowed.</p> + +<p>"Seems so odd, the three of them being down with it," said the other; +"looks as though it's infectious, doesn't it?"</p> + +<p>"I don't think so," said the doctor, accepting with alacrity an offer to +go ashore in the launch and change into some decent clothes. "I think I +know what it was."</p> + + +<a name="009"></a> +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="009.jpg (39K)" src="009.jpg" height="525" width="440"> +</center> +<br><br> + + + +<p>The captain of the <i>Stella</i> pricked up his ears, and the second officer +leaned forward with parted lips. Carson, accompanied by the deputy and +the solicitor, walked toward the launch.</p> + +<p>"What was it?" cried the skipper, anxiously.</p> + +<p>"I think that you ate something that disagreed with you," replied the +doctor, grinning meaningly. "Good-by, captain."</p> + +<p>The master of the <i>Stella</i> made no reply, but rising feebly, tottered to +the side, and shook his fist at the launch as it headed for the shore. +Doctor Carson, who had had a pious upbringing, kissed his hand in return.</p> + + + + + + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of An Adulteration Act, by W.W. Jacobs + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AN ADULTERATION ACT *** + +***** This file should be named 12130-h.htm or 12130-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/2/1/3/12130/ + +Produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Each eBook is in a subdirectory of the same number as the eBook's +eBook number, often in several formats including plain vanilla ASCII, +compressed (zipped), HTML and others. + +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks replace the old file and take over +the old filename and etext number. The replaced older file is renamed. +VERSIONS based on separate sources are treated as new eBooks receiving +new filenames and etext numbers. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + +EBooks posted prior to November 2003, with eBook numbers BELOW #10000, +are filed in directories based on their release date. If you want to +download any of these eBooks directly, rather than using the regular +search system you may utilize the following addresses and just +download by the etext year. + + https://www.gutenberg.org/etext06 + + (Or /etext 05, 04, 03, 02, 01, 00, 99, + 98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 92, 91 or 90) + +EBooks posted since November 2003, with etext numbers OVER #10000, are +filed in a different way. The year of a release date is no longer part +of the directory path. The path is based on the etext number (which is +identical to the filename). The path to the file is made up of single +digits corresponding to all but the last digit in the filename. For +example an eBook of filename 10234 would be found at: + + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/2/3/10234 + +or filename 24689 would be found at: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/4/6/8/24689 + +An alternative method of locating eBooks: + https://www.gutenberg.org/GUTINDEX.ALL + + + + +</pre> + +</body> +</html> diff --git a/old/12130-h/cover.jpg b/old/12130-h/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2276c69 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/12130-h/cover.jpg diff --git a/old/12130-h/frontis.jpg b/old/12130-h/frontis.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ed2eb44 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/12130-h/frontis.jpg diff --git a/old/12130-h/title.jpg b/old/12130-h/title.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3eb7cc3 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/12130-h/title.jpg diff --git a/old/12130.txt b/old/12130.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..124c0c3 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/12130.txt @@ -0,0 +1,970 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of An Adulteration Act, by W.W. Jacobs + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: An Adulteration Act + The Lady of the Barge and Others, Part 10. + +Author: W.W. Jacobs + +Release Date: April 22, 2004 [EBook #12130] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AN ADULTERATION ACT *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + +THE LADY OF THE BARGE + +AND OTHER STORIES + +By W. W. Jacobs + + + + +AN ADULTERATION ACT + + +Dr. Frank Carson had been dreaming tantalizing dreams of cooling, +effervescent beverages. Over and over again in his dreams he had risen +from his bed, and tripping lightly down to the surgery in his pajamas, +mixed himself something long and cool and fizzy, without being able to +bring the dream to a satisfactory termination. + +With a sudden start he awoke. The thirst was still upon him; the +materials for quenching it, just down one flight of stairs. He would +have smacked his lips at the prospect if they had been moist enough to +smack; as it was, he pushed down the bedclothes, and throwing one leg out +of bed-became firmly convinced that he was still dreaming. + +For the atmosphere was stifling and odorous, and the ceiling descended in +an odd bulging curve to within a couple of feet of his head. Still half +asleep, he raised his fist and prodded at it in astonishment--a feeling +which gave way to one of stupefaction as the ceiling took another shape +and swore distinctly. + +"I must be dreaming," mused the doctor; "even the ceiling seems alive." + +He prodded it again-regarding it closely this time. The ceiling at once +rose to greater altitudes, and at the same moment an old face with bushy +whiskers crawled under the edge of it, and asked him profanely what he +meant by it. It also asked him whether he wanted something for himself, +because, if so, he was going the right way to work. + +"Where am I?" demanded the bewildered doctor. "Mary! Mary!" + +He started up in bed, and brought his head in sudden violent contact with +the ceiling. Then, before the indignant ceiling could carry out its +threat of a moment before, he slipped out of bed and stood on a floor +which was in its place one moment and somewhere else the next. + +In the smell of bilge-water, tar, and the foetid atmosphere generally his +clouded brain awoke to the fact that he was on board ship, but resolutely +declined to inform him how he got there. He looked down in disgust at +the ragged clothes which he had on in lieu of the usual pajamas; and +then, as events slowly pieced themselves together in his mind, +remembered, as the last thing that he could remember, that he had warned +his friend Harry Thomson, solicitor, that if he had any more to drink it +would not be good for him. + +He wondered dimly as he stood whether Thomson was there too, and walking +unsteadily round the forecastle, roused the sleepers, one by one, and +asked them whether they were Harry Thomson, all answering with much +fluency in the negative, until he came to one man who for some time made +no answer at all. + +The doctor shook him first and then punched him. Then he shook him again +and gave him little scientific slaps, until at length Harry Thomson, in a +far-away voice, said that he was all right. + +"Well, I'm glad I'm not alone," said the doctor, selfishly. "_Harry! +Harry! Wake up!_" + +"All ri'!" said the sleeper; "I'm all ri'!" + +The doctor shook him again, and then rolled him backward and forward in +his bunk. Under this gentle treatment the solicitor's faculties were +somewhat brightened, and, half opening his eyes, he punched viciously at +the disturber of his peace, until threatening voices from the gloom +promised to murder both of them. + +"Where are we?" demanded the doctor, of a deep voice from the other side +of the forecastle which had been particularly threatening. + +"Barque _Stella,_ o' course," was the reply. "Where'd you think you +was?" + +The doctor gripped the edge of his friend's bunk and tried to think; +then, a feeling of nausea overcoming all others, he clambered hurriedly +up the forecastle ladder and lurched to the side of the vessel. + +He leaned there for some time without moving, a light breeze cooling his +fevered brow, and a small schooner some little distance from them playing +seesaw, as he closed his eyes to the heaving blue sea. Land was +conspicuous by its absence, and with a groan he turned and looked about +him--at the white scrubbed deck, the snowy canvas towering aloft on +lazily creaking spars, and the steersman leaning against the wheel +regarding the officer who stood near by. + +Dr. Carson, feeling a little better, walked sternly aft, the officer +turning round and glancing in surprise at his rags as he approached. + +"I beg your pardon," began the doctor, in superior tones. + +"And what the devil do you want?" demanded the second officer; "who told +you to come along here?" + +"I want to know what this means," said the doctor, fiercely. "How dare +you kidnap us on your beastly bilge-tank?" + +"Man's mad," murmured the astonished second officer. + +"Insufferable outrage!" continued the doctor. "Take us back to +Melbourne at once." + +"You get for'ard," said the other sharply; "get for'ard, and don't let me +have any more of your lip." + +"I want to see the captain of this ship," cried the doctor; "go and fetch +him at once." + +The second officer gazed at him, limp with astonishment, and then turned +to the steersman, as though unable to believe his ears. The steersman +pointed in front of him, and the other gave a cry of surprise and rage as +he saw another tatterdemalion coming with uncertain steps toward him. + +"Carson," said the new arrival, feebly; and coming closer to his friend, +clung to him miserably. + +"I'm just having it out with 'em, Thomson," said the doctor, +energetically. "My friend here is a solicitor. Tell him what 'll happen +if they don't take us back, Harry." + +"You seem to be unaware, my good fellow," said the solicitor, covering a +large hole in the leg of his trousers with his hand, "of the very +dangerous situation in which you have placed yourselves. We have no +desire to be harsh with you--" + +"Not at all," acquiesced the doctor, nodding at the second officer. + +"At the same time," continued Mr. Thomson--"at the--" He let go his +friend's arm and staggered away; the doctor gazed after him +sympathetically. + +[Illustration: HE SAW ANOTHER TATTERDEMALION COMING TOWARDS HIM.] + +"His digestion is not all it should be," he said to the second officer, +confidentially. + +"If you don't get for'ard in two twos," said that gentleman, explosively, +"I'll knock your heads off." + +The doctor gazed at him in haughty disdain, and taking the limp Thomson +by the arm, led him slowly away. + +"How did we get here?" asked Mr. Harry Thomson, feebly. + +The doctor shook his head. + +"How did we get these disgusting clothes on?" continued his friend. + +The doctor shook his head again. "The last thing I can remember, Harry," +he said, slowly, "was imploring you not to drink any more." + +"I didn't hear you," said the solicitor, crustily; "your speech was very +indistinct last night." + +"Seemed so to you, I dare say," said the other. + +Mr. Thomson shook his arm off, and clinging to the mainmast, leaned his +cheek against it and closed his eyes. He opened them again at the sound +of voices, and drew himself up as he saw the second officer coming along +with a stern-visaged man of about fifty. + +"Are you the master of this vessel?" inquired the doctor, stepping to +his friend's side. + +"What the blazes has that got to do with you?" demanded the skipper. +"Look here, my lads; don't you play any of your little games on me, +because they won't do. You're both of you as drunk as owls." + +"Defamation of character," said the solicitor, feebly, to his friend. + +"Allow me," said the doctor, with his best manner, "to inquire what all +this means. I am Dr. Frank Carson, of Melbourne; this gentleman is my +friend Mr. Thomson, of the same place, solicitor." + +"What?" roared the skipper, the veins in his forehead standing out. +"Doctor! Solicitor! Why, you damned rascals, you shipped with me as +cook and A. B." + +"There's some mistake," said the doctor. "I'm afraid I shall have to ask +you to take us back. I hope you haven't come far." + +"Take those scarecrows away," cried the skipper, hoarsely; "take them +away before I do them a mischief. I'll have the law of somebody for +shipping two useless lubbers as seamen. Look to me like pickpockets." + +"You shall answer for this," said Carson, foaming; "we're professional +men, and we're not going to be abused by a bargee." + +"Let him talk," said Mr. Thomson, hurriedly drawing his friend away from +the irate skipper. "Let him talk." + +"I'll put you both in quod when we get to Hong-kong," said the skipper. +"Meantime, no work, no food; d'ye hear? Start and cook the breakfast, +Mr. Doctor; and you. Mr. Lawyer, turn to and ask the boy to teach you an +A. B's duties." + +He walked back to the cabin; and the new cook was slowly pushed toward +the galley by the second officer, the new A. B., under the same gentle +guidance, being conducted back to the forecastle. + +Fortunately for the new seamen the weather continued fine, but the heat +of the galley was declared by the new cook to be insupportable. From the +other hands they learned that they had been shipped with several others +by a resourceful boarding-house master. The other hands, being men of +plain speech, also said that they were brought aboard in a state of +beastly and enviable intoxication, and chaffed crudely when the doctor +attributed their apparent state of intoxication to drugs. + +"You say you're a doctor?" said the oldest seaman. + +"I am," said Carson, fiercely. + +"Wot sort of a doctor are you, if you don't know when your licker's been +played with, then?" asked the old man, as a grin passed slowly from mouth +to mouth. + +"I suppose it is because I drink so seldom," said the doctor, loftily. +"I hardly know the taste of liquor myself, while as for my friend Mr. +Thomson, you might almost call him a teetotaler. + +"Next door to one," said the solicitor, who was sewing a patch on his +trousers, as he looked up approvingly. + +"You might call 'im a sailor, if you liked," said another seaman, "but +that wouldn't make him one. All I can say is I never 'ad enough time or +money to get in the state you was both in when you come aboard." + +If the forecastle was incredulous, the cabin was worse. The officers at +first took but little notice of them, but feeling their torn and tattered +appearance was against them, they put on so many airs and graces to +counteract this that flesh and blood could not endure it quietly. The +cook would allude to his friend as Mr. Thomson, while the A. B. would +persist in referring, with a most affected utterance, to Dr. Carson. + +"Cook!" bawled the skipper one day when they were about a week out. + +Dr. Carson, who was peeling potatoes, stepped slowly out of the galley +and went toward him. + +"You say 'Sir,' when you're spoken to," said the skipper, fiercely. + +The doctor sneered. + +"My --- if you sneer at me, I'll knock your head off!" said the other, +with a wicked look. + +"When you get back to Melbourne," said the doctor, quietly, "you'll hear +more of this." + +"You're a couple of pickpockets aping the gentleman," said the skipper, +and he turned to the mate. "Mr. Mackenzie, what do these two ragamuffins +look like?" + +"Pickpockets," said the mate, dutifully. + +"It's a very handy thing," said the old man, jeeringly, "to have a doctor +aboard. First time I've carried a surgeon." + +Mr. Mackenzie guffawed loudly. + +"And a solicitor," said the skipper, gazing darkly at the hapless Harry +Thomson, who was cleaning brasswork. "Handy in case of disputes. He's a +real sea lawyer. _Cook!_" + +"Sir?" said the doctor, quietly. + +"Go down and tidy my cabin, and see you do it well." + +The doctor went below without a word, and worked like a housemaid. When +he came on deck again, his face wore a smile almost of happiness, and his +hand caressed one trousers pocket as though it concealed a hidden weapon. + +For the following three or four days the two unfortunates were worked +unceasingly. Mr. Thomson complained bitterly, but the cook wore a +sphinx-like smile and tried to comfort him. + +"It won't be for long, Harry," he said, consolingly. + +The solicitor sniffed. "I could write tract after tract on temperance," +he said, bitterly. "I wonder what our poor wives are thinking? I expect +they have put us down as dead." + +"Crying their eyes out," said the doctor, wistfully; "but they'll dry +them precious quick when we get back, and ask all sorts of questions. +What are you going to say, Harry?" + +"The truth," said the solicitor, virtuously. + +"So am I," said his friend; "but mind, we must both tell the same tale, +whatever it is. Halloa! what's the matter?" + +"It's the skipper," said the boy, who had just run up; "he wants to see +you at once. He's dying." + +He caught hold of the doctor by the sleeve; but Carson, in his most +professional manner, declined to be hurried. He went leisurely down the +companion-ladder, and met with a careless glance the concerned faces of +the mate and second officer. + +"Come to the skipper at once," said the mate. + +"Does he want to see me?" said the doctor, languidly, as he entered the +cabin. + +The skipper was lying doubled up in his bunk, his face twisted with pain. +"Doctor," he panted, "give me something quick. There's the medicine- +chest." + +"Do you want some food, sir?" inquired the other, respectfully. + +"Food be damned!" said the sufferer. "I want physic. There's the +medicine-chest." The doctor took it up and held it out to him. "I don't +want the lot," moaned the skipper. + +"I want you to give me something for red-hot corkscrews in the inside." + +"I beg your pardon," said the doctor, humbly; "I'm only the cook." + +"If you--don't--prescribe for me at once," said the skipper, "I'll put +you in irons." + +The doctor shook his head. "I shipped as cook," he said, slowly. + +"Give me something, for Heaven's sake!" said the skipper, humbly. "I'm +dying." The doctor pondered. + +"If you dinna treat him at once, I'll break your skull," said the mate, +persuasively. + +The doctor regarded him scornfully, and turned to the writhing skipper. + +"My fee is half a guinea a visit," he said, softly; "five shillings if +you come to me." + +"I'll have half a guinea's worth," said the agonized skipper. + +The doctor took his wrist, and calmly drew the second officer's watch +from its owner's pocket. Then he inspected the sick man's tongue, and +shaking his head, selected a powder from the chest. + +"You mustn't mind its being nasty," he said. "Where's a spoon?" + +He looked round for one, but the skipper took the powder from his hand, +and licked it from the paper as though it had been sherbet. + +"For mercy's sake don't say it's cholera," he gasped. + +"I won't say anything," said the doctor. "Where did you say the money +was?" + +The skipper pointed to his trousers, and Mr. Mackenzie, his national +spirit rising in hot rage, took out the agreed amount and handed it to +the physician. + +"Am I in danger?" said the skipper. + +"There's always danger," said the doctor, in his best bedside manner. +"Have you made your will?" + +The other, turning pale, shook his head. "Perhaps you'd like to see a +solicitor?" said Carson, in winning tones. + +"I'm not bad enough for that," said the skipper, stoutly. + +"You must stay here and nurse the skipper, Mr. Mackenzie," said Carson, +turning to the mate; "and be good enough not to make that snuffling +noise; it's worrying to an invalid." + +"Snuffling noise?" repeated the horror-struck mate. + +"Yes; you've got an unpleasant habit of snuffling," said the doctor; "it +worries me sometimes, I meant to speak to you about it before. You +mustn't do it here. If you want to snuffle, go and snuffle on deck." + +The frenzied outburst of the mate was interrupted by the skipper. "Don't +make that noise in my cabin, Mr. Mackenzie," he said, severely. + +Both mates withdrew in dudgeon, and Carson, after arranging the +sufferer's bedclothes, quitted the cabin and sought his friend. Mr. +Thomson was at first incredulous, but his eyes glistened brightly at the +sight of the half-sovereign. + +"Better hide it," he said, apprehensively; "the skipper 'll have it back +when he gets well; it's the only coin we've got." + +"He won't get well," said Dr. Carson, easily; "not till we get to Hong- +kong, that is." + +"What's the matter with him?" whispered the solicitor. + +The doctor, evading his eye, pulled a long face and shook his head. "It +may be the cooking," he said, slowly. "I'm not a good cook, I admit. It +might be something got into the food from the medicine-chest. I +shouldn't be at all surprised if the mates are taken bad too." + +And indeed at that very moment the boy came rushing to the galley again, +bawling out that Mr. Mackenzie was lying flat on his stomach in his bunk, +punching the air with his fists and rending it with his language. The +second officer appeared on deck as he finished his tale, and glancing +forward, called out loudly for the cook. + +"You're wanted, Frank," said the solicitor. + +"When he calls me doctor, I'll go," said the other, stiffly. + +"_Cook!_" bawled the second officer. "_Cook!_ COOK!" + +He came running forward, his face red and angry, and his fist doubled. +"Didn't you hear me calling you?" he demanded, fiercely. + +"I've been promoted," said Carson, sweetly. "I'm ship's surgeon now." + +"Come down below at once, or I'll take you there by the scruff of your +neck," vociferated the other. + +"You're not big enough, little man," said the doctor, still smiling. +"Well, well, lead the way, and we'll see what we can do." + +He followed the speechless second officer below, and found the boy's +description of the first officer's state as moonlight unto sunlight, as +water unto wine. Even the second officer was appalled at the spectacle, +and ventured a protest. + +"Gie me something at once," yelled Mr. Mackenzie. + +"Do you wish me to undertake your case?" inquired the doctor, suavely. + +Mr. Mackenzie said that he did, in seven long, abusive, and wicked +sentences. + +"My fee is half a guinea," said the doctor, softly, poor people who +cannot afford more, mates and the like, I sometimes treat for less." + +"I'll die first," howled the mate; "you won't get any money out of me." + +"Very good," said the doctor, and rose to depart. + +"Bring him back, Rogers," yelled the mate; "don't let him go." + +But the second officer, with a strange awesome look in his eyes, was +leaning back in his seat, tightly gripping the edge of the table in both +hands. + +"Come, come," said the doctor, cheerily--"what's this? You mustn't be +ill, Rogers. I want you to nurse these other two." + +The other rose slowly to his feet and eyed him with lack-lustre eyes. +"Tell the third officer to take charge," he said, slowly; "and if he's to +he nurse as well, he's got his hands full." + +The doctor sent the boy to apprise the third officer of his +responsibilities, and then stood watching the extraordinary and snakelike +convolutions of Mr. Mackenzie. + +"How much--did--ye say?" hissed the latter. + +"Poor people," repeated the doctor, with relish, "five shillings a visit; +very poor people, half a crown." + +"I'll have half a crown's worth," moaned the miserable mate. + +"Mr. Mackenzie," said a faint voice from the skipper's cabin. + +"Sir?" yelled the mate, who was in torment. + +"Don't answer me like that, sir," said the skipper, sharply. "Will you +please to remember that I'm ill, and can't bear that horrible noise +you're making?" + +"I'm--ill--too," gasped the mate. + +"Ill? Nonsense!" said the skipper, severely. "We can't both be ill. +How about the ship?" + +There was no reply, but from another cabin the voice of Mr. Rogers was +heard calling wildly for medical aid, and offering impossible sums in +exchange for it. The doctor went from cabin to cabin, and, first +collecting his fees, administered sundry potions to the sufferers; and +then, in his capacity of cook, went forward and made an unsavory mess he +called gruel, which he insisted upon their eating. + +Thanks to his skill, the invalids were freed from the more violent of +their pains, but this freedom was followed by a weakness so alarming that +they could hardly raise their heads from their pillows--a state of things +which excited the intense envy of the third officer, who, owing to his +responsibilities, might just as well have been without one. + +In this state of weakness, and with the fear of impending dissolution +before his eyes, the skipper sent for Mr. Harry Thomson, and after some +comparisons between lawyers and sharks, in which stress was laid upon +certain redeeming features of the latter, paid a guinea and made his +will. His example, save in the amount of the fee, was followed by the +mate; but Mr. Rogers, being approached tentatively by the doctor in his +friend's behalf, shook his head and thanked his stars he had nothing to +leave. He had enjoyed his money, he said. + +They mended slowly as they approached Hong-kong, though a fit of temper +on Mr. Mackenzie's part, during which he threw out ominous hints about +having his money back, led to a regrettable relapse in his case. He was +still in bed when they came to anchor in the harbour; but the skipper and +his second officer were able to go above and exchange congratulations +from adjoining deck-chairs. + +"You are sure it wasn't cholera?" asked the harbour-master's deputy, who +had boarded them in his launch, after he had heard the story. + +"Positive," said Carson. + +"Very fortunate thing they had you on board," said the deputy--"very +fortunate." + +The doctor bowed. + +"Seems so odd, the three of them being down with it," said the other; +"looks as though it's infectious, doesn't it?" + +"I don't think so," said the doctor, accepting with alacrity an offer to +go ashore in the launch and change into some decent clothes. "I think I +know what it was." + +The captain of the _Stella_ pricked up his ears, and the second officer +leaned forward with parted lips. Carson, accompanied by the deputy and +the solicitor, walked toward the launch. + +"What was it?" cried the skipper, anxiously. + +[Illustration: THE SECOND OFFICER LEANED FORWARD] + +"I think that you ate something that disagreed with you," replied the +doctor, grinning meaningly. "Good-by, captain." + +The master of the _Stella_ made no reply, but rising feebly, tottered to +the side, and shook his fist at the launch as it headed for the shore. +Doctor Carson, who had had a pious upbringing, kissed his hand in return. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of An Adulteration Act, by W.W. Jacobs + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AN ADULTERATION ACT *** + +***** This file should be named 12130.txt or 12130.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/2/1/3/12130/ + +Produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Each eBook is in a subdirectory of the same number as the eBook's +eBook number, often in several formats including plain vanilla ASCII, +compressed (zipped), HTML and others. + +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks replace the old file and take over +the old filename and etext number. The replaced older file is renamed. +VERSIONS based on separate sources are treated as new eBooks receiving +new filenames and etext numbers. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + +EBooks posted prior to November 2003, with eBook numbers BELOW #10000, +are filed in directories based on their release date. If you want to +download any of these eBooks directly, rather than using the regular +search system you may utilize the following addresses and just +download by the etext year. + + https://www.gutenberg.org/etext06 + + (Or /etext 05, 04, 03, 02, 01, 00, 99, + 98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 92, 91 or 90) + +EBooks posted since November 2003, with etext numbers OVER #10000, are +filed in a different way. The year of a release date is no longer part +of the directory path. The path is based on the etext number (which is +identical to the filename). The path to the file is made up of single +digits corresponding to all but the last digit in the filename. For +example an eBook of filename 10234 would be found at: + + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/2/3/10234 + +or filename 24689 would be found at: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/4/6/8/24689 + +An alternative method of locating eBooks: + https://www.gutenberg.org/GUTINDEX.ALL + + diff --git a/old/12130.zip b/old/12130.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..94c944a --- /dev/null +++ b/old/12130.zip |
