# The Captain — Short Fiction character guide > The Captain in Short Fiction by O. Henry. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** the Captain **First appearance:** 0000-lord-oakhurst-s-curse ## Snapshot Captain Cronin, a bluff, cigar-chewing observer of revolutions, watches a Caribbean coup unfold like a theatrical he can't quite take seriously. ## Who they are Captain Cronin stands at the edge of Anchurian politics, trading wagers with Mr. Vincenti while General Pilar delivers a speech that quietly buries one regime and resurrects another. He's a practical man among dreamers and filibusterers, skeptical of 'fly-by-night theatricals' yet unable to look away. His running commentary gives readers a worldly, amused vantage on the passions and pretensions of the republic's power players. ## In the story ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/ii) Not present in this excerpt. ### [Bexar Scrip No. 2692](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/bexar-scrip-no-2692) Referenced as the clerk in charge of the file room. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/ii) Not present in this chapter. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/iii) Referred to as the detective Tictocq, who conducts the investigation. ### [Tracked to Doom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/tracked-to-doom) Not directly mentioned; no match found in excerpts. ### [A Slight Mistake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/a-slight-mistake) The business manager who dismisses the poet and later regrets his rudeness. ### [The Winner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-winner) Not explicitly named but implied as one of the three cronies; referred to as 'the judge' in the excerpt. ### [Solemn Thoughts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/solemn-thoughts) The New York drummer who quotes poetry and expresses homesickness. ### [A Narrow Escape](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/a-narrow-escape) The bartender who humors the man and then threatens him with a knotted towel. ### [Journalistically Impossible](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/journalistically-impossible) The editor who instructed the reporter to cover the suicide and questions the failure. ### [A Fatal Error](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/a-fatal-error) The Houston man who made the fatal error of mixing up envelopes. ### [Simmon's Saturday Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/simmon-s-saturday-night) A well-dressed con man posing as Captain Richard Saxon Clancy, a railway paymaster, who attempts to drug Simmons. ### [The Shamrock and the Palm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-shamrock-and-the-palm) Dr. Gregg, referred to as 'the Captain' in the excerpt; present in the hammock. ### [Rouge Et Noir](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/rouge-et-noir) Captain Cronin of the Valhalla, accompanies Mr. Vincenti and watches the events. ### [The Marionettes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-marionettes) Not directly present; the policeman who stops Doctor James at the beginning of the chapter. ### [An Afternoon Miracle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/an-afternoon-miracle) Referred to as 'Captain McNulty' who assigns Lieutenant Bob Buckley to bridge duty. ### [A Professional Secret](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/a-professional-secret) Not present in this chapter. ### [A Ghost of a Chance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/a-ghost-of-a-chance) Referenced as Captain Kinsolving, the supposed Revolutionary ancestor whose ghost is later claimed to appear. ### [October and June](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/october-and-june) A young man of nineteen who has never seen combat; he proposes to Theodora but is rejected due to perceived age difference. ### [The Marquis and Miss Sally](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-marquis-and-miss-sally) The Captain is not present in this chapter; the superintendent and Pink Saunders are the authority figures. ### [Out of Nazareth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/out-of-nazareth) Captain MacFarland pilots the Dixie Belle and is complicit in Bloom's earlier dealings, but is outmaneuvered when Bloom insists on stopping at Cold Branch. ### [The Fourth in Salvador](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-fourth-in-salvador) Mentioned as Maximilian Jones, an American investor in rubber and rosewood, who joins Billy in celebrating the Fourth. ### [The Enchanted Kiss](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-enchanted-kiss) Captain Peek, Katie's father, who is involved in a shady scheme with a carriage and a dwarf, and is punched by Tansey. ### [New York by Camp Fire Light](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/new-york-by-camp-fire-light) Not present in this chapter. ### [The Complete Life of John Hopkins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-complete-life-of-john-hopkins) The chauffeur named Armand, who rescues Hopkins from the fight and brings him to the lady's mansion. ### [The Door of Unrest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-door-of-unrest) Mentioned as the Imperor in Michob Ader's story about the fire that burnt the city. ### [One Thousand Dollars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/one-thousand-dollars) Not present in this chapter. ### [A Little Talk About Mobs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/a-little-talk-about-mobs) The New Yorker who engages in conversation with the tall man about mobs. ### [Suite Homes and Their Romance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/suite-homes-and-their-romance) Police captain who accompanies Turpin to 345 Blank Street, initially dismissing the anonymous letter. ### [Makes the Whole World Kin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/makes-the-whole-world-kin) The homeowner with a pointed brown-and-gray beard, suffering from rheumatism in his shoulder. ### [The Rathskeller and the Rose](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-rathskeller-and-the-rose) Not present in this chapter. ### [The Theory and the Hound](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-theory-and-the-hound) Not present in this chapter. ### [The Making of a New Yorker](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-making-of-a-new-yorker) Not present in this chapter. ### [Babes in the Jungle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/babes-in-the-jungle) Not present in this chapter. ### [Mammon and the Archer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/mammon-and-the-archer) Captain of the 'Rambler' yacht, mentioned as ready to sail to the Bahamas. ### [Little Speck in Garnered Fruit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/little-speck-in-garnered-fruit) The police captain who, at Kid McGarry's tip, leads a raid on Denver Dick's gambling den. ### [Between Rounds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/between-rounds) Not directly mentioned; no match found in excerpts. ### [According to Their Lights](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/according-to-their-lights) A former police captain reduced to poverty; refuses to testify against his friend Inspector Pickering despite the offer of money. ### [Hostages to Momus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/hostages-to-momus) Participates in the group's discussions and schemes. ### [An Adjustment of Nature](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/an-adjustment-of-nature) Not present in this chapter. ### [The Skylight Room](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-skylight-room) Mrs. Parker, the landlady who shows rooms and scorns those who cannot afford the parlors. ### [A Bird of Bagdad](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/a-bird-of-bagdad) Not present in this chapter. ### [Elsie in New York](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/elsie-in-new-york) Not explicitly named in the excerpt, but the policeman is referred to as a 'burly cop' and later as 'the captain' in the context of the civic guardians. ### [The Tale of a Tainted Tenner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-tale-of-a-tainted-tenner) Mentioned as the police captain who indirectly helped the bill get back into circulation after a peddler was arrested. ### [Blind Man's Holiday](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/blind-man-s-holiday) Mentioned as a figure in the café; not directly involved in the main plot. ### [The Handbook of Hymen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-handbook-of-hymen) Not present in this chapter. ### [Sociology in Serge and Straw](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/sociology-in-serge-and-straw) Not present in this chapter. ### [The Trimmed Lamp](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-trimmed-lamp) A brown pompadour coworker who scolds Nancy for rejecting the millionaire's nephew, arguing that $20,000 a year is more than enough. ### [Calloway's Code](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/calloway-s-code) Not directly present; the story focuses on the Enterprise staff. ### [The Country of Elusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-country-of-elusion) Reeves, a poet, is at the dinner and recites poetry. ### [Proof of the Pudding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/proof-of-the-pudding) Not present in this chapter. ### [The Caballero's Way](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-caballero-s-way) Captain Duval of Ranger Company X, who receives a letter from the adjutant-general about the Kid's activities. ### [Phoebe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/phoebe) Captain Patricio Maloné, the narrator, a Hiberno-Iberian creole and adventurer who leads a revolutionary expedition to Esperando. ### [The Enchanted Profile](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-enchanted-profile) Not explicitly named in excerpts, but the narrator is referred to as 'Man' by Ida; likely the Captain from context. ### [The Moment of Victory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-moment-of-victory) Captain Floyd, the commanding officer of the San Augustine Rifles, who is promoted during the war and writes recommendations for Willie Robbins. ### [The Higher Pragmatism](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-higher-pragmatism) Makes an appearance, interacting with the main characters. ### [No Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/no-story) Not present in this chapter. ### [A Poor Rule](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/a-poor-rule) Not present in this chapter. ### [The Snow Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-snow-man) Ross Curtis, the host of the Bay Horse Ranch, who becomes increasingly erratic under the snow's influence. ### [A Fog in Santone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/a-fog-in-santone) Referred to as 'Hurd of Toledo'; a middle-aged man with catarrhal bronchitis who advocates for a drunken spree to hasten death. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/characters/the_captain - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/characters