"You certainly did."
"Might be as how I could gib dat cook on de yacht some p'ints as to wot yo' young gen'men like, ain't dat so?"
"Perhaps, Aleck. If you wish, I'll speak to father about it."
"Tank yo' werry much, Massa Sam!"
"But you must promise one thing," put in Tom, who was listening to the talk.
"Wot is dat?"
"You won't run off and marry the widow Taylor when you get back."
"Huh! I'se done wid dat trash!" snorted Aleck. "She kin mahrry dat Thomas an' welcome. I don't want her or her chillun neither!"
"All right, then, Aleck, we'll see what we can do for you," said Tom, and Sam said the same. In the end it was agreed that Aleck should accompany the party as a general helper, and this pleased the colored man very much. It was a lucky thing for the boys that Aleck went along, as certain later events proved.
