14 A MONTH IN THE FORESTS OF FRANCE. 



I'd quit the table as long as he sat there, that I 

 would." 



I left the Captain to his smothered indignation ; 

 and, being much taken with the appearance of this 

 coloured gentleman (a veritable black from head to 

 foot), ascertained who he was, and made his acquaint- 

 ance. I showed him my bloodhound ; and talking 

 a great deal to him, found that he was perfect in 

 the English language, understood French, and was 

 altogether a gentleman of very considerable informa- 

 tion. 



When I returned to the Captain he asked, as I 

 thought with a suppressed sneer, how I liked my 

 friend ; so I replied, " Very much," and told him 

 who he was. I do not know if the information I 

 afforded removed any of his objections to colour, 

 though it certainly considerably aroused his curios- 

 ity ; but, as to making the acquaintance, I am not 

 aware that he followed my example. 



Nearer and nearer yet the packet came to the 

 cliffs of France, leaving a long feather in her wake 

 as the wheels revolved ; the red-sailed French pilots 

 dipped across our course, as small birds do at a 

 passing hawk ; and each passenger began to show 

 symptoms of anxiety as to his luggage. To the care 

 of the steward I consigned mine, contenting myself 



