“What, is it a festival?”

“So help me Gad, I no know, sar.”

“Is there any one on board of the other vessels?”

“Eberybody gone on shore. Suppose they have black man, he stay on board.”

“Good-night, Pompey.”

“Good-night, sar. Who I say call when captain come on board?”

“Captain Easy.”

“Captain He-see, very well, sar.”

Our hero pulled to another ship, and found it equally deserted; but at the third he found the second mate, with his arm in a sling, and from him they gained the information that it was a great festival, being the last day of the carnival; and that every one was thinking of nothing but amusement.

“I’ve a notion,” said the mate, in reply, “that you’re American.”