Mr. Burton was telling the story about his namesake, who was asking him for a job.
Young Burton was down and out. Mr. Burton didn't want to hire him, because young Burton played cards. So, Burton said that he had swum for his university. An idea came to Mr. Burton's mind that he could make his young namesake funk or die. He told him that young Burton should swim round the beacon and land at the creek of Tarumi, where he met him. Mr. Burton knew about young Burton's bad condition, but he offered it to him. Burton agreed as he had nothing left to do. When Mr. Burton got to the creek of Tarumi, he understood, that his namesake would never turn up. He was drowned. He couldn't manage the currents round the beacon because of his ruined condition.
When the author asked if Mr. Burton had known that Burton would be drowned, he answered that he hadn't had a vacancy.
It's very strong and meaningful story. I had different emotions while reading it.