The Wildcat, perspiring copiously in his official robes of supremacy, got to his feet. He parked the gallopers in his inside pocket. He reached for Lily's leading string. "Brethren—me an' Lily stahted soopreem when we come heah. Dat's de way we finishes. I bids you—good night!"
4.
With Lily at his heels, the favourite of Lady Luck made his way into the midnight fog which lay above the city. He walked to Market Street, and at the ferry building he headed down the Embarcadero toward the pier where the Empire was loading. In the deep shadows cast by a post in the long pier he removed his trailing robe. He rolled his insignia under his arm. Under the arc lights along the pier the men of the night shift were rustling the last of the freight to the Empire's side.
With Lily at his heels, the Wildcat went aboard the ship. The officer on watch recognized him. "What you doin' out so late, boy? Thought you run the day shift?"
"Cap'n,—yessuh,—I does. Me an' Lily was projectin' roun' some. Us ain't got no place to go."
The Wildcat lingered on this last statement. "No place to go." Then he summoned courage enough to voice a request which expressed a longing that had developed since he had first known the Empire's destination.
"Cap'n, suh," he said slowly, "kin me an' Lily ride wid you to New Awl'uns?—Us craves to git south."
"I'll say you can. We need about nine good waiters for the trip."
"Cap'n, suh, dat's me! When us starts I'se de same as nine."
"You're hired. Sign on tomorrow."