He was very busy attending to the landing of their personal effects, and had only time to be respectful.

It was Joseph's way to do only one thing at a time, on the principle, no doubt, that enough for the moment is the evil thereof.

His manner implied that, when those coloured gentlemen had got the baggage safely conveyed out of the boats on to the beach, it would be time enough to think about Loango.
Moreover, Joseph was in his way rather a dauntless person.

He held that there were few difficulties which he and his master, each in his respective capacity, were unable to meet.

This African mode of life was certainly not one for which he had bargained when taking service; but he rather enjoyed it than otherwise, and he was consoled by the reflection that what was good enough for his master was good enough for him.
Beneath the impenetrable mask of a dignified servitude he knew that this was "all along of that Chyne girl," and rightly conjectured that it would not last for ever.