“Wouldn’t think any--er--a black could talk like that!” The speaker, who came from Delaware, certainly had never heard such talk before. “This man--he is not black.” The tinge of foreign accent in the words caused the Americans to glance up sharply. Perhaps the immaculate swarthy passenger was from Quebec. A Washingtonian eyed him coolly and rose to his feet. “He’s a nigger just the same!” he said, and walked away from the group. They fell silent after that. But some time afterward several of the passengers approached the Captain with the request that he invite this unusual character to deliver a lecture in the salon. Captain Judkins, who had been unhappy about the matter, gladly complied. He himself went to the steerage and sat chatting with the ex-slave. The dark man’s manners captivated him. Announcement was made of the scheduled lecture. News of the Captain’s visit to the steerage got around. In one of the most expensive suites on the ship three young men faced each other. They were trembling with rage. “By God, suh,” said one, thumping the table with his fist, “we won’t stand for it!” “Invited to the salon!” said another. “By the Captain!” The pampered son of a Louisiana planter tore his silk cravat as he loosened it. “Dog of a runaway slave--flaunted in our faces!” His voice choked in his throat. His cousin quickly assented. “Fool Captain ought to be horsewhipped!” The fair-haired boy from Georgia emptied his glass of brandy and waved his hand drunkenly. “Just a minute, gentlemen. No rash talk! Gotta plan--that’s it--gotta plan!” “Plan--hell!” The dark face of the Louisianian flushed dangerously. “We’ll just throw the nigger overboard if he dares show his impertinent face!” “Yes,” agreed his cousin. “That’ll show the damned Yankees!” They did not really believe he would come. But, of course, they did not know Frederick Douglass. On the appointed evening the salon filled up early. Few of the ladies had dared to go to the steerage, and now flowered ruffles and curls fluttered with excitement as they settled into the cushioned seats. Promptly on the hour the imposing figure appeared in the doorway. At a sign from the Captain, who had risen, Douglass walked toward the front of the room. Then it happened. The three young men were now five. At Douglass’ appearance the two who were inside the salon sprang quickly to their feet, the three who had been watching from the deck came running in. “We’ll stop him!” “Get the nigger!” “Throw him overboard!” Ladies screamed, men jumped up, but Frederick only stood still while they closed in on him. Perhaps he had expected something like this. At any rate, his face did not change. The clamor increased as, cursing, the young men knocked aside any opposition.