They remained on the forecastle of the vessel until the last was up; and then at a nod given by their grizzle-headed leader, they advanced aft in a body towards Newton.

Newton rose and pointed to the boat, which had now drifted about a quarter of a mile astern.

He then made signs to give them to understand that he had been wrecked.
"Apparemment c'est un pauvre miserable, qui a fait naufrage," observed the old negro, who appeared to have the charge of the vessel; "Gustave Adolphe, tu parles bien l'Anglais; demandez-lui les nouvelles," continued the old man, folding his arms across, and looking very _big_ indeed, as he reclined against the mainmast of the vessel.
Gustave Adolphe stood forward from the rest of the negroes.

He was a short, fat, shiny-faced fellow, with his hair platted into about fifty little tails.

He first bowed to his old commander, then placing his arms akimbo, walked up to Newton, and looking him full in the face, commenced his duty of interpreter, as follows:-- "I say--God dam--" Newton smiled.
"Oui, monsieur, c'est un Anglais." "Continuez, Gustave Adolphe," replied the old negro, with a majestic air.
Gustave Adolphe, with another bow, resumed: "I say--where com ?" "Barbadoes," replied Newton.
"Monsieur, il vient de Barbadoes." "Continuez, Gustave Adolphe," replied his superior, with a wave of his hand.
"I say--where go ?" "Where go ?" replied Newton, "go to the bottom." "Monsieur, il allait au port de Bo--tom." "Bo--tom," repeated the old negro.