"It is growing dark, Mr. Aiken," he observed, "and our position is not
without its drawbacks. Call in the men from outside, and take them aboard
and give them a measure of rum. No one will disturb me before I leave, I
think. You had better weigh at once, and never mind your running lights
till it is time for them."

"So you're going to do it," said Mr. Aiken. "I might have known you
wouldn't listen to reason."

"You should have sailed with me long enough," said my father, "to know I
never do."

"And you not even dressed for it," added Mr. Aiken. "You might be going
to a party, so you might."

"I think," replied my father, "the evening will be more interesting than
a purely social affair. Keep the _Sea Tern_ well off, and we shall meet
only too soon again.'

"Why don't I take the boy along," Mr. Aiken suggested, eyeing me a little
furtively. "He'd be right useful where we're going, and the sea would do
him good, so it would."

"I fancy you'll have enough bother without him," replied my father.
"Personally I have found him quite distracting during my short visit."

"Hell," said Mr. Aiken, "he wouldn't be no trouble, but he looks fair
ugly here, so he does, and he knows too much. No offense, sir, but he's
too up and coming to be left alone with an ignorant nigger."