"They are on the deck with the mate."
"Do you know who they are?"
"I only know that they are Spaniards or Cubans. From what I hear them say, I judge that they and the mate find the money to buy the negroes, while the vessel and the captain have a share of the profits."
"Have they the money on board?"
"I don't know anything about it from what they say; but of course they have."
"You say the mate told you about the voyage yesterday. What did he say?"
"He didn't say much; and I think he spoke of it because I couldn't help hearing what was said in the cabin. He only told me to do my duty, and I should make a thousand dollars out of the cruise."
"What did you say?"
"I told him I should do my duty. I was afraid of him, and I let him believe that I didn't care whether the bark went a slaving or not. I have always kept on the right side of him, but I hate him worse than I hate the evil one. If I hadn't a mother on shore to take care of, I'd sink the ship, and go down in her, rather than have anything to do with slaving."
"Are you a spy, sent here by the mate to sound me?" I added, suddenly, looking him in the face very earnestly.