"The very best of friends goes here.

An honest trader called Xavier who comes from his plantation on the coast to tell you all good news." "Pardon, senor," said the sentry, "but how was a man to see in the dark, big as you are?
What is the news then?
Are the dhows in sight ?" "Come down and help us to tie up this cursed boat and I will tell you.
You know where the post is, and we can't find it." The sentry obeyed with alacrity, and the man called Xavier went on: "Yes, the dhows are in sight, but I don't think that they will get in to-night because of this wind, so you may look for a busy day to-morrow loading up the blackbirds.

One _is_ in by the way--a small one from Madagascar.

The captain is a stranger, a big Frenchman named Pierre, or he may be an Englishman for anything I know.

I hailed him and found that he is all right, but I didn't see him.