then directing my attention to a case of
books attached to the after bulkhead, on the opposite side to that
occupied by the piano, he rose, bowed, and retired to his own cabin. As
for me, I went out on deck and resumed my conversation with Leroy,
telling him what had passed, and begging him to keep a sharp look-out
for vessels; for that since Captain Tourville made no attempt to
disguise his uneasiness at my presence on board his ship I was quite
determined to tranship into the first craft that we might happen to fall
in with, provided, of course, that she did not happen to be of
questionable character--for I had no inclination to jump out of the
frying-pan into the fire by going aboard another slaver.

The mate fully agreed with me as to the wisdom of leaving the ship as
soon as possible; indeed I soon discovered that, even after what had
passed between Tourville and myself, he was still very far from
satisfied that there might not be further trouble ahead. "If such
should unfortunately come," said he, "you must maintain a bold front,
and show him that you are not to be so easily frightened. When his fits
are upon him he very strongly reminds me of a wild beast which hesitates
to attack so long as one faces it boldly, but springs the instant that
one's back is turned."

I considered this very excellent advice, singularly applicable to the
circumstances, and determined to act upon it. At eight bells I was
summoned below to supper, and found the cabin brilliantly lit, and the
table a picture of dainty elegance in the matter of equipage and of
choice fare. Captain Tourville was evidently no ascetic in the matter
of eating and drinking, and the meal to which we immediately sat down
was quite as good as many that I have partaken of ashore in so-called
first-class hotels.

Tourville seemed at first to be in imminent danger of relapsing into one
of his black moods, for he was distrait and inclined to be silent; but I
was determined not to permit this if I could help it. I therefore
persisted in talking to him, trying him with subject after subject,
until I discovered him to be an enthusiast upon the arts of painting and
music--in both of which I also dabbled, in an amateurish way. As soon
as I spoke of these his brow cleared, he threw off his gloom, and spoke
fluently and with evident knowledge of his subject, with the result that
the meal which had begun so inauspiciously ended quite pleasantly. Nay,
more than tha