I went at once to the vessel and asked the captain to permit me to help unload the vessel in order to get money for food.

The captain, a white man, who seemed to be kind-hearted, consented.

I worked long enough to earn money for my breakfast, and it seems to me, as I remember it now, to have been about the best breakfast that I have ever eaten.
My work pleased the captain so well that he told me if I desired I could continue working for a small amount per day.

This I was very glad to do.
I continued working on this vessel for a number of days.

After buying food with the small wages I received there was not much left to add on the amount I must get to pay my way to Hampton.