th, while applying a
match to the lamp overhead. I saw no shadow of any guard outside, but
the fellow made no effort to close the door, and I did not move,
confident he was not alone. As he turned to go, however, curiosity
compelled me to question him, his good-natured face provocative of
courage.

"Say, George, what boat is this?"

"Mah name is Louis, sah."

"All right, Louis, then; what's the name of this vessel?"

"She am de _Sea Gull_, an' a mighty fin' boat, sah."

"So I judge; what is she, fruiter, or private yacht?"

"I reckon I don't just know," and he grinned.

"Perhaps then you will inform me where we are bound--I suppose you know
that?"

"No, sah; de captain he nebber done tol' me, sah, nothing 'bout his
personal plans. All he done said wus fer me to hustle sum grub in
yere."

"But surely," I Insisted warmly, "you know what voyage you signed on
for?"

"Wal, boss, I did n't sign on fer no vige. I 'se de steward, sah, an'
I just naturally goes 'long where ebber de ship does. 'T ain't rightly
none o' my business what de white folks 'cides to do. Good Lor', dey
don't never ask dis nigger nuthin' 'bout dat. All I got ter do is just
go 'long with 'em--dat's all."

The shadow of a man blocked the doorway. He was one of those who had
been in the small boat, and I noticed a revolver at his waist.

"That's enough, boy. Come, now, out with you," he commanded gruffly.
"Never you mind the door; I 'll attend to that."

He pulled the door to after the retreating form of the negro, and I
heard the sharp click of the latch, and then his voice, muffled by
intervening wood, ordering the steward aft. There was no appearance of
any lock on the door; probably there was none, as otherwise it would
not have been necessary to post a guard. However, this was clearly no
time to experiment and I was hungry enough to forget all else in the
appetizing fragrance of the meal waiting. I fell to eagerly, convinced
there was a good cook on board, and enjoying every morsel. This did
not look as though I was destined to suffer, and merely being confined
in these narrow quarters for a few hours was no great hardship.
Probably the girl was receiving very similar treatment, and, as soon as
the _Sea Gull_ made whatever port was aimed at, we would both be put
ashore, and left to proceed as we thought best. Indeed, sitting there
alone, under the inspiration of choice food, well cooked, I became
quite cheerful, dismissin