American Boys Afloat by Oliver Optic

Captain Ringgold had been formally presented to the judge by an officer who seemed to be the chief of police, or something of that sort. "_El Juez_ Salazar" was what he called him. If any reader wishes to pronounce as he reads, he will say _el hwaith Sah-lah-thar_; and if he utters it like that, the chief of police would understand him.

Judge Salazar smiled when the commander invited him and his family to visit the Guardian-Mother, declaring that he had no wife or children, being still a bachelor.

"But if I had met the Señora Belgrave when I was fifty years younger, it might have been otherwise," added the judge. "That is to say, if she had not frowned upon me."

"Just my case! " exclaimed the commander.

"But you are still a young man, while I am seventy-five. 'It might have been,' as your poet Whittier said, in my case; and it may be, in yours," added his honor very jocosely.

"I don't know," laughed the captain. "But I hope you will visit my ship, Judge Salazar. Will you not dine with us at six to-day? I will have a boat at the landing for you at five."

"The temptation is very great, and I cannot decline the invitation," replied the venerable dignitary.

The carriage of the judge returned, and then he insisted upon taking the commander and Louis to the shore, where they parted with him for the time. All the party were delighted with the old gentleman and his courteous Spanish manners, and Mrs. Belgrave declared that he was a "dear old man. " The cutter conveyed the party to the steamer, and in about half an hour they were on board of the ship.

"The judge is a bachelor, Mrs. Belgrave, and he fell in love with you."

"Indeed! But he is old enough to be my grandfather! " exclaimed the lady, laughing heartily.

"In order to give him an opportunity to conduct his suit before your court, I have invited him to dinner to-day, and he has accepted," added the commander.

"I shall be very glad to meet him socially, in spite of all your nonsense, Captain Ringgold," said the lady. "I think he is a fair and just judge; and certainly he is a very agreeable gentleman, though he is not as good-looking as you are."

The lady blushed when she had said this, for she really meant nothing by it; and the commander felt himself lifted up with something like an ecstasy.

"I need not flatter myself till I know the breadth of the comparison," replied he. "But we must do our best to make the judge happy when he comes on board; and I have no doubt he will spend the evening with us. Sparks, call Mr. Sage."

Mr. Melancthon Sage, the chief steward, presented himself very promptly, and the commander directed him to get up the choicest dinner possible for six o'clock, for a very distinguished guest.

When Captain Ringgold went on deck, he found the owner of the Salihé waiting for him there, his engineer having gone on board of her alongside. He had spoken to Louis, who refused to say anything to him except in the presence of the commander.

"Which I am very glad to see you, Captain Ringgold," the owner of the little steamer began.

"I dare say you are, for you want to know whether or not your boat is implicated in the smuggling that was done last night," replied the commander jocosely.

"Which hit is very true, your honor; I do wish to know."

"Well, your worship, your friend Gray swore point-blank before the court that he had engaged your little steamer to tow the Golondrina to sea," added the captain.