Aboard the wrecker the crew watched these proceedings with interest. The big mate bit off a piece of tobacco and settled himself comfortably in the sun upon the deck, with his head just above the rail.
"Here comes the boat for us," grinned Captain Sanders, poking his head out of the cuddy. The rest grinned silently in turn.
Captain Smart came alongside, and the big mate rose to a sitting position at the rail, squirting a stream of tobacco over the side, barely missing the gig.
"Mr. Dunn, the owner of the Sayonara, would like to see you aboard the schooner," said Smart, addressing the black.
"What fur?" growled the giant.
"Oh, he has some business, I suppose—will you come?"
Sanders winked at his mate, and a Dutchman named Heldron nudged him in the ribs.
"Sho', I'll come," said the mate.
"Me, too," said Sanders, winking hard at the rest. "I'm the captain of the wreckin'-sloop Sea-Horse, an' it's no more'n proper for me to pay my respect to his nibs. This here little black boy"—pointing to the black giant—"is my first officer. They calls him Bahama Bill. He's a bad man to call out o' his name."
Bahama Bill frowned and his ugly face leered for a moment at the crew on deck. Then he swung easily over the side and dropped with a crash into the small boat. Some of the men sniggered, but Sanders gave them a look and followed.