I am nothing but a nigger, and of no account." "I have chosen you for this mission because you can do it better than any other person, Dave.

Don't call yourself a nigger; I don't like the word, and you are ninety degrees in the shade above the lower class of negroes in the South." "Thank you, sir," replied the steward with an expansive smile.
"There is one thing I wish you to understand particularly, Dave.

I have not set you to watch any officer of the ship," said Christy impressively.
"No, sir; I reckon Pink Mulgrum is not an officer any more than I am." "But you may discover, if you find that Mulgrum can speak and hear, that he is talking to an officer," added the captain in a low tone.
"What officer, Captain Passford ?" asked the steward, opening his eyes to their utmost capacity, and looking as bewildered as an owl in the gaslight.
"I repeat that I do not set you to watch an officer; and I leave it to you to ascertain with whom Mulgrum has any talk, if with any one.

Now I warn you that, if you accomplish anything in this mission, you will do it at night and not in the daytime.

That is all that need be said at the present time, Dave, and you will attend to your duty as usual.