Chapter 18 A
BAD COMBINATIONWe picked up a pilot outside the Lewes breakwater a man of few
words. I told him only the outlines of our story, and I believe he
half discredited me at first. God knows, I was not a creditable
object. When I took him aft and showed him the jolly-boat, he
realized, at last, that he was face to face with a great tragedy,
and paid it the tribute of throwing away his cigar.
He suggested our raising the yellow plague flag; and this we
did, with a ready response from the quarantine officer. The
quarantine officer came out in a power-boat, and mounted the
ladder; and from that moment my command of the Ella ceased. Turner,
immaculately dressed, pale, distinguished, member of the yacht club
and partner in the Turner line, met him at the rail, and conducted
