"Free men have to obey, as well as slaves. On board a ship, every body obeys the captain."
"What's use ob bein free, den?"
"The captain of the ship can't sell the sailor, nor separate him from his wife and children. The man is paid for what he does, and when his voyage is up he may go where he pleases."
"I knows all about it now, Dandy."
"I don't want to be called Dandy any more. My name is Daniel, but you may call me Dan for short."
"Possifus! Den's what's my name? I'se free too, and I wan't my name changed."
"Your name is Thucydides."
"Tucydimes!"
"No, Thucydides," laughed Dan—for we will adopt his suggestion, and call him no longer by his plantation name.
"Hossifus! Hab to git up afore breakfast to speak dat word in season for dinner," chuckled Cyd.