I ACCEPT A PROPOSAL I went on deck with the watch, and mingled with them forward.

No one in authority took any particular notice of me, and I was permitted to take hold with the others at the various tasks.

A Portuguese boatswain asked me who I was, and later reported my presence to LeVere, who had charge of the deck, but the only result was my being set at polishing the gun mounted on the forecastle.

The mulatto did not come forward, and I rejoiced at having my status aboard so easily settled, and being permitted to remain in the same watch with Watkins.
It was a dull gray morning, the gloominess of the overhanging clouds reflected in the water.

Men on lookout were stationed in the fore-top and on the heads, yet the sharpest eyes could scarcely see beyond a half mile in any direction.