"Well, I tell you, I would feel 'nough sight better than I do now," said Ben. "Where are we going to get something to eat?"
"I am sure I don't know. I left all that for you to attend to."
"Oh, you did, did you? Well, I have got news for you. Just around the bend above here lies a little trading-vessel, and I propose we go up and see if we can ship on her."
"You don't say! That's the best piece of news you have had for me in a long while," said Bob. "And what if our own ship comes back?"
"Do you suppose that a ship is a-going to waste time in picking up two discontented hands who have deserted her?" exclaimed Ben. "Them fellows that are left will have to look out for a belaying-pin now. But there's no danger of the Smart coming back. We're going to have a worse blow than we have had yet, so far, and if the ship isn't wrecked she'll be a long ways from here to-morrow. Let's go and see what they can do for us. I declare I am almost afraid to go with you."
"Why, how is that?" asked Bob, in surprise.
"You said if you could feel the solid ground under your feet, such as you used to be accustomed to at home, you would be yourself again," said Ben. "But you don't look a bit different now from what you did aboard the ship."
"That will wear off after a while, Ben," answered Bob. "Come on, and let us see what they can do for us."
Ben slowly arose to his feet and walked up the creek, and Bob followed close at his heels. In a few minutes they came within sight of the vessel of which the old sailor had spoken. She was riding at anchor, and her crew was engaged in hoisting a water-cask on board. There were but three white men on her deck, and the rest were all—
"Negroes, by George!" said Bob, in disgust.