CHAPTER III A SUPERSTITIOUS COOK
“Ah’s afraid ob dis heah boat,” said Sam as he handed the soup to Fred and settled himself on the side of the bunk opposite.
“Afraid of it?” exclaimed Fred. “Why?”
“She’s got de hoodoo,” said Sam decidedly.
“Why, Sam,” said Fred. “What do you mean by that?”
“She’s got de hoodoo, dat’s all.”
“What makes you think so?”
“Because Ah feels dat way.”
“But why do you feel that way?”
“Dey’s a Jonah on board.”
“You think so?”
“Ah sho’ do,” said Sam, nodding his ebony head violently up and down. “Ah seen him come abo’d and Ah knowed right away dat we was gwine ter hab hard luck dis cruise.”
“You know who the Jonah is, then, do you?” inquired Grant, somewhat amused by the black man’s superstitions.
“Ah done tol’ you all Ah seen him come abo’d,” said Sam.
