As to this man, my knowledge of him is only what little I have seen and heard on board the _Romping Betsy_," I answered soberly.

"I confess a prejudice; that I am unable to judge him fairly.

In the first place I do not like his race, nor his kind; but I did suppose, of course, that, as he was your guest, you considered him a man worthy your hospitality." Fairfax's face reddened, and he must have felt the sting of these words, uttered as they were by the lips of his bondman.

I thought he would turn abruptly away, leaving them unanswered, but he was too much of a gentleman.
"Carlyle," he said brusquely, "you have touched the exact point--I do not know.

I thought I did, of course, but what has occurred on the voyage over has led me to doubt.