“Hold a bit!” said the mate.  “The Captain will be on deck in a few minutes; he wants a word or two with you.”

“We can’t stop unless we’re compensated for our time.  ’Tis no use to delay-’twon’t do any good; he’s a nigger to all intents and purposes.  I know by the curl in his hair-they can’t escape me, I’ve had too much to do with them!” said Dunn.  “Yes, to be sure, I can tell a nigger by his ear, if his skin’s as white as chalk!” said Dusenberry.  “It’s all gammon this bringing bright outlandish men here, and trying to pass them off for white folks.  ’Twon’t stick-you must come up and be registered, and you’ll have a good time at the jail, my boy; there’s plenty of bright gals in there, and you can have a wife, if you know how to do the courting.”

The Captain now came upon deck; and began to intercede, begging that they would not take Manuel away until he had seen the British Consul.  “I know I can make every thing straight.  There is no occasion to imprison my steward-he’s neither a nigger nor a bad man; and I’ll pledge you my honor that he shall not leave the ship, or even go upon the wharf, if you will only allow me to see the Consul before you take any further action,” he continued.

“That is beyond our power, sir; you must see the sheriff-you’ll find him in his office bright and early.  But you might as well put your appeal in your pocket, or send it to Queen Victoria, for all Consul Mathew can do for you.  He’s been kicking up a fuss for two years; but he might as well whistle agin a brickbat as to talk his nonsense about English niggers to South Carolina.  He’ll get tarred and feathered yet, if he a’n’t mighty shy about his movements.  Sorry, Captain, we can’t accommodate you, but we’re only actin’ for the sheriff, and his orders are imperative to bring him right up.  We must lock the fellow up.  We don’t make the law, nor we ha’n’t the power to control it.”  Thus saying, Dunn took a little key from his pocket and begun to turn it in the handcuffs.

“What!” said the Captain-"don’t attempt to put them things on my man, upon your peril.  Is that the way you treat a poor shipwrecked sailor in South Carolina, the State of boasted hospitality?  No, sir!  I will sacrifice my life before my man shall submit to such a thing,” said the Captain, with his Scotch energy aroused.

“Captain!” said Dunn, “we’d not be takin’ the advantage of ye because ye’re a stranger, but ’tis the law; and if we accommodates ye, sure it’ll be at our own risk.  But anyhow, Captain, ye’d be keepin’ meself an’ this gentleman a long time waiting, ’twouldn’t be. amiss to be giving us the usual perquisite.  You won’t miss it, and we’ve a great deal to do for small fees, that niver compinsate for the accommodation we be’s to give everybody-an’ the loss of time’s the loss of money.”

“Give you a perquisite!—­no, indeed; I never pay for such favors.  Wait a few moments; I will accompany you myself, if you will not take my honor for his good conduct on the way to prison,” continued the Captain.