ppeared that the vessel had changed masters; the crew were
chiefly Spanish negroes, or other negroes who spoke Spanish, but some of
them spoke English, and a few words of Spanish; these, I presumed, were
American or English runaways. But the captain--his language was as
correct as my own; Spanish he spoke fluently, for I heard him giving
orders in that language while I was in the cabin; neither was he
flat-nosed, like the majority. Had he been white, his features would
have been considered regular, although there was a fierceness about them
at times which was terrible to look at.

"Well," thought I, "if I live and do well, I shall know more about it;
yes, if I live, I wish I was on the quarterdeck of the Calliope, even as
Tommy was with his pockets stuffed full of the purser's raisins, and
looking like a fool and a rogue at the same time."

I had been down in the cabin about half an hour, when the negro captain
made his appearance.

"Well," said he, "I suppose you would as soon see the devil as me--eh,
boy?"

"No: indeed," replied I, laughing--for I had quite recovered my
confidence--"for you were about to send me to the devil, and I feel most
happy that I still remain with you."

"You're exactly the cut of boy I like," replied he, smiling. "How I
wish that you were black!--I detest your colour."

"I have no objection to black my face, if you wish it," replied I: "it's
all the same to me what colour I am."

"How old are you?"

"I was fifteen a few months back."

"How long have you been to sea?"

"About eighteen months."

He then asked me a great many more questions, about the captain, the
officers, the ship, and myself; to all of which I answered in a guarded
way.

A negro brought down his supper; it was hot, and very savoury; without
any order on his part, I immediately attended upon him during his meal.
He told the negro not to wait and conversed with me during the time that
he was eating: at last, he told me how he had doubled the frigate during
the night. I then remarked that we had been informed that the vessel
was called the Stella, that the captain's name was Chico, and the crew
were composed of white men of different nations.

"A month or two ago, it was the case," replied the captain. "Now I have
done, and you may clear away," continued he, rising from his chair and
throwing himself down on one of the sofas. "Stop; you are hungry, I
don't doubt; you can sit down and eat your supper, and r