"One ob our men leabes us to-morrer—goes to 'is home on de coast. Kitch one ob de steamers dat's allers due about dis time."
"Well, what of that?"
"What ob dat! why, you'll write a letter to your fadder. It'll go by de steamer to Batavia. He gits it long before we gits home, so dere's plenty time for 'im to take haction."
"But what good will writing to my father do?" asked Nigel in a somewhat disappointed tone. "He can't help us."
"Ho yes, he can," said Moses with a self-satisfied nod. "See here, I'll tell you what to write. You begin, 'Dear fadder—or Dearest fadder—I's not quite sure ob de strengt' ob your affection. P'raps de safest way—."
"Oh! get on, Moses. Never mind that."
"Ho! it's all bery well for you to say dat, but de ole gen'leman'll mind it. Hows'ever, put it as you t'ink best—'Dear fadder, victual your ship; up anchor; hois' de sails, an' steer for de Cocos-Keelin' Islands. Go ashore; git hold ob de young 'ooman called Kat'leen Hobbleben—'"
"Holbein, Moses."
"What! is she Moses too?"
"No, no! get on, man."