We had attained the potato course. The French positively will not serve potatoes as other than a separate course. I was about to help myself to a generous portion when the captain cried: “Here! Better leave those things alone. You know what they do to you.”

I told him I didn’t believe two or three would hurt, and proceeded to take three.

“When a half Indian eats potatoes,” said the captain, “he usually forgets himself and runs amuck.”

Our guest probably didn’t know what a muck was, but it had an unpleasant sound, and the look she gave me was neither friendly nor trusting.