t in
other ports?"

"I expect it is, sir; but I apprehend no such trouble with any of my
crew," answered the Captain promptly. "I sail under the faith of my
nation's honor and prowess, the same as the Americans do under theirs.
We're both respected wherever we go, and if one little State in the
Union violates the responsibility of a great nation like that, I'm
mistaken. Certainly, no nation in Christendom could be found, that
wouldn't open their hearts to a shipwrecked sailor. I have too much
faith in what I have heard of the hospitality of Southerners, to believe
any thing of that kind."

"Talk's all very well, Skipper," said the mate; "but my word for it, I
know'd several ships lying in the Mersey, about three years ago, bound
to Southern ports for cotton. White stewards worth any thing couldn't be
had for love nor money, and the colored ones wouldn't ship for ports in
Slaves States. The Thebis got a colored man, but the owners had to pay
him an enormous advance, and this, too, with the knowledge of his being
locked up the whole time he was in port; thus having to incur the
very useless expense of supplying his place, or find boarding-house
accommodations for the officers and crew. If it be true, what I've hearn
'em say in the Mersey, the man doesn't only suffer in his feelings by
some sort of confinement they have, but the owners suffer in pocket.
But it may be, Skipper, and I'm inclined to think with you, our case is
certainly deplorable enough to command pity instead of imprisonment. The
government must be found cutting a dirty figure on the national picture,
that would ill-treat sailors who had suffered as much as our boys have.
I would hate to see Manuel shut up or ill-used. He's as brave a fellow
as ever buckled at a handspike or rode a jib-boom. Last night, while
in the worst of the gale, he volunteered to take Higgins's place, and,
mounting the jib-boom, was several times buried in the sea; yet he held
on like a bravo, and succeeded in cutting away the wreck. I thought he
was gone once or twice, and I own I never saw more peril at sea; but if
he hadn't effected it, the foot of the bowsprit would have strained her
open in the eyes, and we'd all been sharks'-bait before this. The fellow
was nearly exhausted when he came on board; says I, its gone day with
you, old fellow; but he come to in a little while, and went cheerily to
work again," continued Mr. Mate, who though pleased with the Captain's
determination