It all goes into old Grimshaw's
pocket, and he'd skin a bolt-rope for the grease, and sell the
steward if he could get a chance. He has sold a much nearer
relation. I'm down upon the law, you'll see, Cap, for I know it
plays the dickens with our business, and is a curse to the commerce
of the port. Folks what a'n't acquainted with shipping troubles, and
a shipowner's interests, think such things are very small affairs.
But it's the name that affects us, and when an owner stands at every
item in the disbursements, and a heavy bill for keeping his steward,
and another for filling his place, or boarding-house accommodations,
and then be deprived of his services, he makes a wry face, and
either begins to think about another port, or making the rate of
freight in proportion to the annoyance. It has an effect that we
feel, but don't say much about. I'm a secessionist, but I don't
believe in running mad after politics, and letting our commercial
interests suffer."
"But what if I prove my steward a'n't a colored man?" said the
Captain; "they surely won't give me any trouble then. It would pain
my feelings very much to see Manuel locked up in a cell for no
crime; and then to be deprived of his services, is more than I can
stand. If I'd known it before, I'd suffered the torments of thirst,
and put for a port farther north.
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