Charleston, as you are
aware, is in an advantageous latitude for vessels to refit that have
met with those disasters which, are frequent in the gulf and among
the Bahamas. Thus I expected to find good facilities here, without
any unkind feeling on the part of the people"--
"Oh! bless me, Captain, you will find us the most hospitable people
in the world," said the Colonel.
"But your pilot told me I would have trouble with my steward, and
that the law would make no distinction between his being cast upon
your shores in distress and subject to your sympathy, and his coming
in voluntarily."
"What!" said little George. "Is he a nigger, Captain? Old Grimshaw's
just as sure to nab him as you're a white man. He'll buy and sell a
saint for the fees, and gives such an extended construction to the
terms of the act that you need expect no special favor at his hands.
The law's no fiction with him. I'm sorry, Captain: you may judge his
conduct as an index of that of our people, and I know him so well
that I fear the consequences."
"No!" said the Captain. "My steward is a Portuguese, a sort of
mestino, and one of the best men that ever stepped foot aboard a
vessel. He is willing, intelligent, always ready to do his duty, and
is a great favorite with his shipmates, and saves his wages like a
good man-but he is olive complexion, like a Spaniard.
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