But at last, near the entrance to the harbor, the boatman pointed out the Dornoch, and told them all he knew about her.

There were several lighters alongside, discharging coal and other cargo into her.
M.Rubempre, in his broken English, asked permission to go on deck, and it was promptly accorded to him.

He was very polite to the officers, and they treated him with proper consideration.

There were no guns in sight, and the steamer looked like a merchantman; but if she had been searched, her armament would have been found in the hold.

The visitor again repeated his desire to obtain a passage to the South; and this request seemed to satisfy the first officer with whom he talked.