On The Blockade

uditor. Probably he was not the highest authority on the subject of his discourse;

a secret, Dave?" con

don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looki

ish me to confide

I was a slave once, but I know what I am working for now. If you have a secret I ought to know, Captain Passford, I will take it in

oath on the Bible, and without even a Quaker's affirmation. I

Passford, for I think you are a bigge

me; but Mr. Davis is a man of transcendent ability, and I am only sorry that he is engag

e like a gentleman,

ated you unkindly

oted to see him, either. I am no gentleman or anything of that sort, Massa- Captain Passford,

ding it to the steward, who shook it warmly, displaying a good deal of emo

t we are not sworn friends yet," replied Dave, rather puzzled to k

is enough. What do

s with him, sir, and I don't

that he

about it," replied Dave. "He never told me he couldn't

ever spea

oard; but he didn't answer me, or take any notice

ckly, Dave," said t

e was no one in the passage. He told his companion to close the

question; but I should like to know why you make me open that door

This is my secret, Dave. I have twice found Mulgrum at that door while I was

s as deaf as the foremast of the shi

d his ear was not a great way

ld not hear

n I have for you, Dave, is to watch Mulgrum. In a word, I

!" exclaimed the steward, opening his eyes very wide, an

e can speak and hear. You are a shrewd fellow, Dave, I discovered some time ago; in fact the first time I ever saw you. You may do this j

't do that, Ca

must be very careful not to let any one suspect that you are watching him, a

and it won't be a hard job. I think I can manage it without

r person, Dave. Don't call yourself a nigger; I don't like the word, and you a

plied the steward wi

ticularly, Dave. I have not set you to watch any

Mulgrum is not an offi

um can speak and hear, that he is talking to

rd, opening his eyes to their utmost capacity, an

ow I warn you that, if you accomplish anything in this mission, you will do it at night and not in the daytime. That is all that need be s

p, Captain Passford, and I

irst watch, you may get at something, but you must keep out of sight as much as y

me time before. The steward looked at the deaf mute with more interest than he had regarded him before. He was a supernumerary on board, and any one who had anything to do called Pink to do it. Another waiter was greatly needed, and Mr. Nawood, the chief steward, had engage

erienced hand at the business. But he was doing the steward's work, and Dave took hold and helped him. Pink was as solemn as an owl, and did his work in

ed the sheet iron against the cast iron of the great stove. He kept his eye fixed all the time on the scullion. The noise was enough for the big midship gun on deck, or even for a small earthquake. Pink was evidently startled by the prodigious sound, and turned towards the steward, who was satisfie

uck. Mr. Flint on the bridge was relieved by Mr. Lillyworth, and the port watch came on duty for the next four hours, or until midnight. This was the time the captain had indicated to Dave as a favorable one for the discharge of his special duty. Taking advan

as doing the duty that belonged to the third lieutenant, if the scarcity of officers had permitted the Bronx to have one. The body of the port watch were spinning yarns on the forecastle, and none of them were very near the foremast. After a while, as Pink was approaching the foreca

mast conceal him from the eyes of Mr. Lillyworth and the scullion. The latter pretended to be at work, and occasionally the second lieutenant "jawed" at him for his clumsiness in lacing the sailcloth. Between these growls, they spoke together in a low tone, but Dave was near enough to hear wha

nd Mulgrum o