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The Sea-Witch - Or, the African Quadroon : a Story of the Slave Coast by Maturin Murray Ballou
page 16 of 215 (07%)
"Well, do you see, Bill, most of us are new on board here, though we
have knocked about long enough to get the number of our mess and to work
ship together, and don't perhaps feel so well satisfied as you do."

"Why, look ye, messmates, arnt you satisfied so long as the articles you
signed are kept by captain and crew?" asked Bill Marline, somewhat
tartly.

"Why, yes, as to that matter; but where are we bound, Bill?" asked the
other.

"Any boy in the ship can make out the 'Sea Witch's' course," said the
old tar, evasively. "We're in these here Northern Trades, close-hauled,
and heading, according to my reckoning, due east, and any man who has
stood his trick at the wheel of a ship, knows that such a course steered
from the West Indies will, if well followed, run down the Cape Verds;
that's all I know."

"Port Praya and a port; that was in the articles sure enough," answered
he who had questioned Bill Marline; "but the 'Sea Witch' will scarce
anchor there before she is off again, according to my reckoning."

That the old tar knew more than he chose to divulge, however, was
apparent to his comrades, but they knew him to be fixed when he chose,
and so did not endeavor by importunity to gather anything further from
him; so the conversation gradually changed into some other channel.

In the meantime, while the crew gathered about Bill Marline were thus
speculating, the vessel bowled along gracefully, with a speed that was
in itself exhilarating to her young commander, who still gazed idly at
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