The smoking of pipes was common, and thoughtless profanity was to be heard on all sides as an ordinary part of speech.

It was with no small difficulty we succeeded in forcing our way through this jostling throng until we attained to an open space ashore.
I followed closely behind the three composing our party, Roger Fairfax, and Sanchez, with the laughing girl between them for protection, pressing a passage forward.

Even had I not been laden with packages my general appearance and dress would doubtless have proclaimed my position, and aroused passing interest.

I heard voices calling attention to me, while curious eyes stared into my face.
Fairfax was evidently well known to a number present, for he was being greeted on all sides with hearty hand-shakes, and words of welcome.
"Ah, back again, Roger; and what fortune in London ?" "A fair price for the crop ?" "Is the lad trailing behind ye one o' Monmouth's men ?" "Any news, friend, in Parliament?
What is the latest on the tax ?" "And pray who is this damsel, Roger; not Hugh Fairfax's girl?
Ay, quite the woman now." "Your men?
They're over there, across the road.

Of course I know; did I not come from the dock with them ?" There were two of them, both negroes, but one, addressed by Fairfax as Sam, was much the lighter in color, and far more intelligent of face.
A few words of instruction dispatched these back to the _Romping Betsy_ for the luggage yet remaining on board, while our own party continued to advance along the water front toward where Sam had designated the Fairfax boat would be found awaiting us, fully prepared to depart up the Chesapeake.