Ve cum here from ze Barbadoes," he explained brokenly "wiz cane-sugar, an' hides.

Ve vait here for our agent." "But why anchor in a place like this?
Why not go on up to the wharfs ?" "Vye not?
For ziz--I no trust my crew ashore.

Zay Vest Indy niggers, an' vud run avay ven ze chance cum.

I know vat zay do." In spite of my efforts the two vessels were drifting rapidly apart, and this last explanation came to us over the water in a faint thread of sound barely discernible.

I asked if I should tack back, but Fairfax shook his head, and in a moment more we were beyond reach of the voice.