Christy had seen the negroes of the Southern States, and he thought the Nassau colored people presented a much better appearance.
At one of these little shops a carriage of the victoria pattern was standing.

Doubtless the driver had gone in to refresh himself after a long course, for the vehicle was headed towards the town.
"I think we had better ride the rest of the way, if this carriage is not engaged," said M.Rubempre, for they had agreed to use the names they had adopted in the Bermudas.

"What do you say, Christophe ?" "I like the idea; I am beginning to be a little tired, for I have not walked much lately," replied Christy.
At this moment the driver, a negro wearing a straw hat with a very broad brim, came out of the shop, wiping his mouth with the sleeve of his coat.

He bowed with even more deference than the generality of the people.

The strangers were not elegantly or genteelly dressed, but they wore good clothes, and would have passed for masters of vessels, so far as their costumes were concerned.
"Is this your carriage ?" demanded M.Rubempre.
"Yes, sir," replied the man in good English.
"How far you must go to get into Nassau ?" inquired the detective, mangling his English enough to suit the occasion.
"Two miles, sir." "How much you make pay to go to Nassau in ze carriage ?" "Fifty cents." "Feefty cents; how much money was zat ?" "Arn't you Americans ?" "_Non!_" replied M.Rubempre with energy.