Tommy put his hand into his
pocket, and drawing out a quarter, passed it to the poor fellow, and
received his thanks. Leaving a message for Manuel that he would be
sure to call and see him when he returned, he passed from the house
of misery and proceeded to his vessel.
The captain of the schooner had been engaged by parties in
Charleston, who simply acted as agents for the owners. He had been
moved to return to Charleston by those feelings which are so
inherent in our nature, inspiring a feeling for the place of its
nativity, and recalling the early associations of childhood. Each
longing fancy pointed back again, and back he came, to further
fortune on his native soil. His crew, with the exception of Tommy,
consisted of three good, active negroes, one of whom acted as pilot
on the Edisto River. Accustomed to the provisioning of Boston ships,
he had paid no attention to his supplies; for, in fact, he only took
charge of the little craft as an accommodation to the agents, and
with the promise of a large vessel as soon as he returned; and
sailing with a fine stiff breeze, he was far outside the light when
the doctor announced dinner. "What have you got that's good, old
chap?" said he to the cook.
"Fust stripe, Massa Cap'en. A right good chance o' homony and bacon
fry," returned the negro.
"Homony and what? Nothing else but that?"
"Why, massa! gracious, dat what Massa Whaley give all he cap'en, an'
he tink 'em fust-rate," said the negro.
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