"
We were now turned over into the receiving ship the old Spark, and
fortunately there were captains enough in port to try us for the loss of
the Torch, so we got over our court--martial speedily, and the very day I
got back my dirk, the packet brought me out a lieutenant's Commission.
Being now my own master for a season, I determined to visit some relations
I had in the island, to whom I had never yet been introduced; so I shook
hands with old Splinter, packed my kit, and went to the wharf to charter a
wherry to carry me up to Kingston. The moment my object was perceived by
the black boat--men, I was surrounded by a mob of them, pulling and
hauling each other, and shouting forth the various qualifications of their
boats, with such vehemence, that I was nearly deafened.
"Massa, no see Pam be Civil, sail like a witch, tack like a dolphin?"
"Don't believe him, massa; Ballahoo is de boat dat can beat him."
"Dam lie dat, as I am a gentleman!" roared a ragged black vagabond.
"Come in de Monkey, massa; no flying fish can beat she."
"Don't boder de gentleman," yelled a fourth,--"massa love de stamp and
go--no so, massa?" as he saw me make a step in the direction of his boat.
"Oh yes--so get out of de way, you black rascals,"--the fellow was as
black as a sloe himself--"make room for man--of--war buccra; him leetle
just now, but will be admiral one day."
So saying, the fellow who had thus appropriated me, without more ado,
levelled his head like a battering ram, and began to batter in breach all
who stood in his way.
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