I saw no shadow of any guard outside, but the fellow made no effort to close the door, and I did not move, confident he was not alone.

As he turned to go, however, curiosity compelled me to question him, his good-natured face provocative of courage.
"Say, George, what boat is this ?" "Mah name is Louis, sah." "All right, Louis, then; what's the name of this vessel ?" "She am de _Sea Gull_, an' a mighty fin' boat, sah." "So I judge; what is she, fruiter, or private yacht ?" "I reckon I don't just know," and he grinned.
"Perhaps then you will inform me where we are bound--I suppose you know that ?" "No, sah; de captain he nebber done tol' me, sah, nothing 'bout his personal plans.

All he done said wus fer me to hustle sum grub in yere." "But surely," I Insisted warmly, "you know what voyage you signed on for ?" "Wal, boss, I did n't sign on fer no vige.

I 'se de steward, sah, an' I just naturally goes 'long where ebber de ship does.

'T ain't rightly none o' my business what de white folks 'cides to do.