"Cap'n, I ain' had a drink for a year—I'll swear to dthat. I'll prove it to you. I ain' had a cent to buy one wid in a month—I was jus' comin' roun' to ast you to gi' me one—jus' to git de dust out o' my throat."
"Dust! Clean those things up there and get some dust in your throat."
"Yes, suh—yes, suh—Cap'n"—insinuatingly, as his eye fell on Dix, who was standing looking attentively first at me and then at Jeams, completely mystified by my tone, but ready to take a hand if there was any need for him. "Cap'n——"
"Well, what is it? What do you want now?"
"Will you lend me a hundred?"
"A hundred dollars?"
"Yes, suh—you see——"
"No. I'll give you a hundred licks if you don't get to work and clean up that floor."
"Cap'n—yes, suh—I'm gwine to clean 't up—but, Cap'n——"
"Well?"