We had reached Buffalo, had discharged our passengers and cargo, and were about starting on our eastward voyage when I met Bill, the sailor, as he was coming out of a water-front saloon.

I ran to him and called him by name; but at first he did not know me.
"This ain't little Jake, is it ?" he said.

"By mighty, I b'lieve it is! W'y, you little runt, how you've growed.

Come in an' have a drink with your ol' friend Bill as nussed you when you was a baby!" I asked to be excused; for I hadn't learned to drink more than a thin glass of rum and water, and that only when I got chilled.

I turned the subject by asking him what he was doing; and at that he slapped his thigh and said he had great news for me.
"I've found that hump-backed bloke," he said.