Part 15 (1/2)

”A little of the first--half-a-dozen, perhaps; with some of the last, and a plenty of carvers”

An impatient push from the Dipper warned me to speak plainer, and satisfiedas we confined ourselves to a straight, forward discourse This discovery had the effect to put uard

”I understand you, Miles,” Marble answered, in a thoughtful uard Do you think they ns at present--but _understanding_--” eine, and no secrets must be told My advice is 'Millions for defence, and not a cent for tribute'”

As this last expression was co been used on the occasion of the existing ith France, I felt confident it would be understood Marble made no answer, and I was permitted to move from the companion-way, and to take a seat on the hen-coops My situation was sufficiently reht fell froe for about the decks, and even to observe so of the expression of the countenances of those, who, from time to time, came near to stare me in the face The last seemed ferociously disposed; but it was evident that a s in strict subjection; quelling the turbulence of their huiving concert and design to all their proceedings This e! Of the fact, I could not doubt; his gestures, his voice, his co that was done I observed that he spoke with authority and confidence, though he spoke calmly He was obeyed, without any particular marks of deference, but he was obeyed ies considered the very little for thee--for so Ichief, for want of his true naht becas of his followers I subsequently ascertained, too, that he waited for reinforce raised in the shi+p, just as the sun appeared, which was answered froes; nor was it long before canoes issued from the creek, and I counted one hundred and seven of these wretches on board the shi+p

This was their whole force, however, no

All this time, or for three hours, I had no more communication with our own people I was certain, however, that they were all together, a junction being easy enough, by o than the light articles intended for the north-west trade, and by knocking down the forecastle bulk-head There was a sliding board in the last, indeed, that would ad recourse to this last expedient I entertained no doubt Marble had collected all hands below; and, being in possession of plenty of ar carried their muskets and pistols beloith them, with all the ammunition, he was still extreed to conjecture A sortie would have been very hazardous, if practicable at all; and it was scarcely practicable, after the es Everything, so far as I was concerned, was left to conjecture

The manner in which my captors treated ht, my limbs were released, and I was permitted to walk up and down the quarter-deck to restore the circulation of the blood A clot of blood, with soments of hair, marked the spot where poor Captain Williams had fallen; and I was allowed to dash a bucket of water over the place, in order to wash away the revolting signs of the e recklessness had taken the place of concern, and I became momentarily indifferent to my fate I expected to die, and I as took a direction towards revenge, rather than towards penitence for my past sins At tiht destroy their eneazine I felt persuaded, indeed, it would come to that before the mate and men would submit to be the captives of such wretches as were then in possession of the deck

Se and his associates, however, appeared to be perfectly indifferent to this danger, of the character of which they were probably ignorant

Their schely laid; and, thus far, it was perfectly successful

The sun was fairly up, and the savages began to think seriously of securing their prize, when the two leaders, Se and the Dipper, approachedoperations The last of these lish, which he had obtained froe, to all intents and purposes, the little infor to render his worst propensitiesthe all his esture towards his fingers, and uttering, with e, this time, one hundred and six, exclusively of the two leaders

”Tell hi below

I called for Mr Marble, and when he had reached the co conversation took place between us:

”What is it now, Miles, my hearty?” demanded the chief-mate

”I am ordered to tell you, sir, that the Indians nu just counted them, for this purpose”

”I wish there were a thousand, as we are about to lift the deck from the shi+p, and send them all into the air Do you think they can understand what I say, Miles?”

”The Dipper does, sir, when you speak slow and plain He has only half a notion of what you now mean, as I can see by his countenance”

”Does the rascal hear me, now?--is he anywhere near the co, at thisone knee, on the forward end of the hen-coop”

”Miles”--said Marble, in a doubting sort of a voice

”Mr Marble--I hear what you say”

”Suppose--eh--lead through the companion-way--eh--ould happen to _you?_”

”I should care little for that, sir, as I've ood, just now, and ht do harm I will tell them, however, of your intention to blow them up, if you please; perhaps _that_ may make them a little shy”

Marble assented, and I set about the office, as well as I could Most of ns; but, in the end, I succeeded inBy this e, in terrave attention, but the idea of being blown up produced no e fro him to have possessed such a civilized instrument of comfort That he fully comprehended his friend, I could see by the expression of his ourang-outang-looking countenance

But fear was a passion that troubled him very little; and, sooth to say, a man whose time was passed in a condition as reat reason to set a very high value on his life Yet, these miserable wretches never commit suicide! That is a relief reserved rather for those who have become satiated with hu in this mode, for one poor wretch whose miseries have driven hience that gleae, as he listened to his friend's words