As a rule, his look was fierce and commanding, but now and then his small keen eyes twinkled.

Although Cartwright was clever, he was, in some respects, primitive.

He had long indulged his appetites, and wore the stamp of what is sometimes called good living.
The managing owner of the Independent Freighters needed cleverness, since the company was small and often embarrassed for money.

For the most part, it ran its ships in opposition to the regular liners.

When the _Conference_ forced up freights Cartwright quietly canvassed the merchants and offered to carry their goods at something under the standard rate, if the shippers would engage to fill up his boat.