"'Why ain't those head-stays set up, as I ordered, and chafing gear put on the forestay in the wake of the topsail?'
"'There was not time, sir; the hold had to be cleared up, and the dunnage piled up fore and aft, ready for taking in cargo.'
"'Why didn't you do it yourself, then?'
"'I didn't come here to work, sir.'
"'What did you come for?'
"'To see other folks work.'
"I now left him, and went below; but he came down into the cabin, and began upon me again.
"'If you come here to see other folks work, why don't you do it? Why didn't you send that foretopsail down, and have it mended? The duty of the ship can't go on, if I am ashore seeing to my business.'
"I couldn't bear no more, but walked straight up to him, and, looking him right in the eye, said, 'How about that nigger, Cap'n Aldrich? How about those blank letters, those onions and potatoes I saw you peeling, that handkerchief you put on the fender?' He changed countenance in a moment, became as pale as a corpse, staggered, and caught hold of the pantry door for support. I said no more, but went on deck."
"What did he say afterwards. Did he ask you what you meant?"