t' tidy aboard dat dirty old
_Shark_. Mos' ungrateful to call black gentleum a willain after all dat
I has done for you. You has hurt my feelin's, sah!"

"Have I?" said Jack. "Well then, I'm sorry, San Domingo, and apologise
most profoundly and profusely and perpetually and peremptorily and--all
the other `pers' and `pros' that you can think of. Now, how is that for
a salve to your wounded feelings, eh?"

"Dat all right, sah," answered the black. "Quite proper dat one
gentleum should 'polergize to anoder. I accep's your 'polergy, sah,
mos' gratefully, and will say no more 'bout it. But it not pleasant,
sah, for to be called `black willain' after I hab take de trouble to do
all dat"--waving his hand toward the table--"for de pleasure and
satisfaction ob--"

I thought it time to interfere and put a stop to the negro's garrulity;
so I cut in with:

"Yes, that is all right, San Domingo; but Mr Keene has apologised most
fully and handsomely, so we may now regard the incident as closed. At
the same time I would remind you that you have not yet replied to Mr
Keene's question as to where you found all these gorgeous table
appointments."

"Yes, sah, dat quite true, Mistah Grenvile," replied our sable
attendant. "Well, sah, I find dem all in de steward's pantry--where
else? Ah, gentleum, dis is wery different from de appearance ob de
table in de midshipmen's berth aboard de _Shark_, eh? No tin cups and
plates here, sah; no rusty old bread barge; no battered old coffeepot;
no not'ing ob dat sort. And I t'ink, gentleum, dat if you is pleased
wid de table 'pointments dat you will be equally so wid de grub dat I
shall hab de honour to place before you. Dis luncheon is not'ing much,
just a fresh-cut ham"--lifting a dish-cover--"and a cold boiled
tongue"--lifting another. "But dere is fine white biscuit, such as you
nebber see aboard de _Shark_, and on dat sideboard I hab a prime
cheese--"

"Yes, everything is most excellent, San Domingo," said I, again
interrupting the fellow. "Now, Keene, what do you say? Will you have
some ham, or some tongue, or a little of both?"

"Thanks!" answered Jack. "I will take a great deal of both if you don't
mind, for somehow I've managed to find an enormous appetite."

Having finished our meal, we went on deck again. We found that during
our absence below the breeze had moderated very considerably, to such an
extent, indeed, that Simpson had just sent a hand aloft to loose th