"You have guessed correctly," replied Morgan, icily. "I have quite
forgotten your date; were you a success in the year one, or when?"
"Admiral Abeuchapeta, Sir Henry," interposed Kidd, fearing a further
outbreak of hostilities--"Admiral Abeuchapeta was the terror of the seas
in the seventh century, and what he undertook to do he did, and his
piratical enterprises were carried on on a scale of magnificence which is
without parallel off the comic-opera stage. He never went forth without at
least seventy galleys and a hundred other vessels."
Abeuchapeta drew himself up proudly.
"Six-ninety-eight was my great year," he said.
"That's what I thought," said Morgan. "That is to say, you got your ideas
of women twelve hundred years ago, and the ladies have changed somewhat
since that time. I have great respect for you, sir, as a ruffian. I have
no doubt that as a ruffian you are a complete success, but when it comes
to 'feminology' you are sailing in unknown waters. The study of women, my
dear Abeuchadnezzar--"
"Peta," retorted Abeuchapeta, irritably.
"I stand corrected. The study of women, my dear Peter," said Morgan, with
a wink at Conrad, which fortunately the seventh-century pirate did not
see, else there would have been an open break--"the study of women is more
difficult than that of astronomy; there may be two stars alike, but all
women are unique.
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