"Let me be the first mate," said Tom, who, having held high offices in several societies, thought himself worthy of being second in authority in the Crusoe band. "I am a first-class sailor, you know."
"We aint goin' to have no mates," interrupted Sam. "I am captain, governor, chief, an' all the rest of the officers in one. I can manage these fellers without any help."
"Call him Friday's Father!" said Jack Spaniard. "That's a good name."
"O, now, I don't like it," drawled Tom. "Was Friday's father a brave man?"
"Well, the book don't say much about him," replied Sam.
"He was a nigger," said Will Atkins.
"O, now, I don't want to be named after a darkey," whined Tom. "Wasn't there some brave, strong white fellow in Crusoe's band?"
"Call yourself Muley, then!"
"Who was he?" asked Tom, who, it was evident, had never read Robinson Crusoe.