Page:By Sanction of Law.pdf/172

 "All right, Doctor. Thanks, very many thanks."

The remainder of the voyage passed very pleasantly. Doctor Tansey recovered his sea legs rapidly and before the trip ended was debating the Negro question with the best of them on board. He defended the black man so vehemently that the captain of the ship deemed it wise to caution him, when they were just about to enter Charleston Harbor. Dr. Tansey and Bennet were, as was their habit, standing far up in the bow of the ship when the Captain saw them and leaned out of the pilot house to shout:

"Hey, Doctor!"

Dr. Tansey and Bennet whirled.

"Come up here," he beckoned. The two men lost no time in accepting the invitation. When they stepped into the wheelhouse, the Captain gave the wheel to another officer and turned: "You men are from up North. I've heard some of your talk and I want to caution you for your own good. Better let that subject alone down here. It's a southern question and we're—they're settling it in their own way."

"Why do you people insist on having your own way with the question?" asked Dr. Tansey.

"Because we know the black man best. We love the black man—in his place."

"Under your feet, I suppose?"

"Well, pretty much so. You've got to keep him down in his place. This is a white man's country. This is a white man's civilization."