Lazy vermin! they'll paddle round in them boats, or lie about in the sun, and hoot all day and all night about 'de good Lord' and 'de day ob jubilee,'-- and think God Almighty is going to interfere in their special behalf, and do big things for them generally." "It's a fact; they do all seem to be waiting for something." "Well, I reckon they needn't wait any longer.

The day of miracles is gone by, for such as them, anyway.

They ain't worth the salt that feeds them, so far as I can discover." Through the wash of the waters they could hear from the voices, as they sang, that their possessors were evidently drawing nearer.
"Sense or not," said the Captain, "I never listen to them without a queer feeling.

What they sing is generally ridiculous enough, but their voices are the most pathetic things in the world." Here the hymn stopped; a boat was pulled up, and presently they saw two men coming from the sands and into the light of their fire,--ragged, dirty; one shabby old garment--a pair of tow pantaloons--on each; bareheaded, barefooted,--great, clumsy feet, stupid and heavy-looking heads; slouching walk, stooping shoulders; something eager yet deprecating in their black faces.
"Look at 'em, Captain; now you just take a fair look at 'em; and then say that Mr.Surrey's wife belongs to the same family,--own kith and kin,--you ca-a-n't do it." "Faugh! for heaven's sake, shut up! of course, when it comes to this, I can't say anything of the kind." "'Nuff said.

You see, I believe in Mr.Surrey, and what's more, I believe in Miss Ercildoune,--have reason to; and when I hear anybody mixing her up with these onry, good-for-nothing niggers, it's more'n I can stand, so don't let's have any more of it"; and turning with an air which said that subject was ended, Jim took up his forgotten coffee, pulled apart some brands and put the big tin cup on the coals, and then bent over it absorbed, sniffing the savory steam which presently came up from it.