Chapter 5 - Page 2

soul. Watchmen there were none; for roguery had not yet
begun to thrive openly in the provinces. When, therefore, Wilder and his
two companions issued, at that hour, from their place of retirement into
the empty streets, they found them as still as if man had never trod
there. Not a candle was to be seen, nor the smallest evidence of human
life to be heard. It would seem our adventurers knew their errand well;
for, instead of knocking up any of the drowsy publicans to demand
admission, they held their way steadily to the water's side; Wilder
leading, Fid coming next, and Scipio, in conformity to all usage, bringing
up the rear, in his ordinary, quiet, submissive manner.

At the margin of the water they found several small boats, moored under
the shelter of a neighbouring wharf. Wilder gave his companions their
directions, and walked to a place convenient for embarking. After waiting
the necessary time, the bows of two boats came to the land at the same
moment, one of which was governed by the hands of the negro, and the other
by those of Fid.

"How's this?" demanded Wilder; "Is not one enough? There is some mistake
between you."

"No mistake at all," responded Dick, suffering his oar to float on its
blade, and running his fingers into his hair, as if he was content with
his achievement "no more mistake than there is in taking the sun on a
clear day and in smooth water. Guinea is in the boat you hired; but a bad
bargain you made of it, as I thought at the time; and so, as 'better late
than never' is my rule, I have just been casting an eye over all the
craft; if this is not the tightest and fastest rowing clipper of them all,
then am I no judge; and yet the parish priest would tell you, if he were
here, that my father was a boat-builder, ay, and swear it too; that is to
say, if you paid him well for the same."

"Fellow," returned Wilder, angrily, "you will one day induce me to turn
you adrift. Return the boat to the place where you found it, and see it
secured in the same manner as before."

"Turn me adrift!" deliberately repeated Fid, "that would be cutting all
your weather lanyards at one blow, master Harry. Little good would come of
Scipio Africa and you, after I should part company. Have you ever fairly
logg'd the time we have sailed together?"

"Ay, have I; but it is possible to break even a friendship of twenty
years."

"Saving your presence, master Harry, I'll be d----d if I believe any such
thing. Here is Guinea, who is no better than a nigger, and therein far
from being a fitting messmate to a white man; but, being used to look at
his black face for four-and-twenty years, d'ye see,