"I took de boat 'cause de boat was dere; but if dere was no boat, I'd hab swam off to de ship, for I'se boun' to go were Mass' Tom go, an' if he go in ship I'se go too!" "But, my poor fellow," put in Captain Miles kindly to him, "your young master does not want a servant to wait on him on board the _Josephine_, and we haven't room for any idlers.

I shall have to put you ashore at Saint Vincent, from whence you'll be easily able to get a passage back home again." "For de Lor' sake don't do dat, Massa Cap'en!" implored Jake, utterly overwhelmed at such an unexpected downfall of his hopes, falling on his knees on the deck and holding up his hands in the most supplicating manner.

"Only let dis poah nigger go wid you an' Mass' Tom an' he do any ting you want." "But, what can you do ?" said Captain Miles, who, I could see, was relenting.

He really had no idea of carrying out the stern intention which his words implied.

"We've got no horses to groom here." "Ah, you dunno all I can do, Massa Cap'en," replied the darkey eagerly, rising again to his feet now, all animation.