"T'ank yo', massah; you is a real gen'man," and Ben's face relaxed into a broad smile.
"You were going out in your boat, I believe."
"Yes, massah. But if I kin do anyt'ing fo' yo'——"
"What of this wreck? Is it the same that one can see from the bluff?"
"Yes, massah, de werry same."
"It's remarkable that it should survive so long."
"Well, yo' see, sah, de rocks am werry high, so de most ob de storms don't git no chance at de wrack. Dat storm wot put de boat up dar was de mos' powerful dat I eber seen in all my born days."
"Is it possible to board the wreck now?"
"Oh, yes, sah! I was ober dar only a few days ago. De ship was struck by lightning in dat las' storm, but de rain put out de fiah."
"I would like to visit the wreck. I have some time to spare to-day, and I am curious to see how such a big vessel looks when cast up high and dry on the rocks."