Come aboard till I can get a word with ye . '' And then , passing his arm through mine , he continued aloud , as he set off towards his boat : `` But , come , what can I bring ye from the Carolinas ? Any friend of Mr. Balfour 's can command . A roll of tobacco ? Indian feather-work ? a skin of a wild beast ? a stone pipe ? the mocking-bird that mews for all the world like a cat ? the cardinal bird that is as red as blood ? -- take your pick and say your pleasure . '' * Fox . By this time we were at the boat-side , and he was handing me in . I did not dream of hanging back ; I thought -LRB- the poor fool ! -RRB- that I had found a good friend and helper , and I was rejoiced to see the ship . As soon as we were all set in our places , the boat was thrust off from the pier and began to move over the waters : and what with my pleasure in this new movement and my surprise at our low position , and the appearance of the shores , and the growing bigness of the brig as we drew near to it , I could hardly understand what the captain said , and must have answered him at random . As soon as we were alongside -LRB- where I sat fairly gaping at the ship 's height , the strong humming of the tide against its sides , and the pleasant cries of the seamen at their work -RRB- Hoseason , declaring that he and I must be the first aboard , ordered a tackle to be sent down from the main-yard . In this I was whipped into the air and set down again on the deck , where the captain stood ready waiting for me , and instantly slipped back his arm under mine . There I stood some while , a little dizzy with the unsteadiness of all around me , perhaps a little afraid , and yet vastly pleased with these strange sights ; the captain meanwhile pointing out the strangest , and telling me their names and uses . `` But where is my uncle ? '' said I suddenly .
`` Ay , '' said XXXXX , with a sudden grimness , `` that 's the point . ''
Balfour Fox Hoseason bigness boat-side feather-work first mocking-bird tobacco unsteadiness