Part 23 (1/2)

”Oh, was it?” said Mr Russell ”Well, never mind; they seem to trust you Go on and see what you can do”

”It's so difficult, because they cannot understand, sir,” replied Mark; ”but I think I can show them ant Shall I try?”

”Yes, of course,” said the lieutenant, to whoe ”The schooner is too fast on the bank here for us to get her off, so the blacks must be taken to the _Nautilus_, and then we'll fire her at once Pity too--such a fine boat There, try and get the poor wretches on deck, and let's see how many there are I'm afraid that some are dead”

Mark shuddered and turned to the blacks, atching hi to them to pick up a couple of buckets, he led them to the fresh-water tub,up a couple of pannikins, he led the way to the mouth of the noiso

They followed him, and he pointed down, but they shrank aildly, their eyes rolling, and the fear of treachery still in their breasts

”Very well, then,” said Mark, quietly, while the officers and boat's crew looked on ”We are going to give those poor creatures soh the hatch to the ladder, and once h The two blacks carefully raised their buckets of water and followed him down, to the satisfaction of every one save Bob Howlett, who felt horribly aggrieved

”Hadn't I better go too, Mr Russell?” he said ”I understand those two blacks”

”Perhaps you had,” said the lieutenant, drily ”By all o”

”Thankye, sir,” cried Bob; and he stepped toward the hatch, where, as Mr Russell turned away, he found To up into a broad grin

Meanwhile Bob had reached the hatch and bent over it prior to stepping down, but instead of raising his foot for that step, he started back, his hand to his face, and a look of thehis merry countenance

”Oh!” he ejaculated; and then again, ”Oh!”

”What is the matter, Mr Howlett?” said the lieutenant, quietly

”Oh, just you go there, sir 'Pon my word! it's just awful”

”Ah, yes, I know,” said the lieutenant, quietly ”The hold is bad with the poor creatures being shut up there That is why I want to get thears! I'll serve some of you out for this,” said Bob to hiely at his discomfort

He turned away and found himself face to face with Tom Fillot, who looked at him with a preternaturally sole, sir?”

”What?” cried Bob, haughtily

”I said find it a bit strong, sir? I did at first when I went down; but, bless your 'art, sir, after the first few sniffs you don't mind it a bit, you rather likes it”

”Then you'd better go down, sir,” said Bob, sharply

”Yes, sir, soon as I'o down before with Mr Vandean”

”Did he go down, then?”

”Oh yes, sir We was there ever so long Just you go down and see, sir; it's very interesting Never was in the hold of a slave shi+p, sir, I s'pose? It's so to talk about, I can tell you Wonderful dark, and all you can see is the niggers' eyes You see, the black, they fits in with the darkness, and as they never laughs you don't see their teeth I'd go if I was you”

Bob hesitated It would never do for him to show the white feather before theall the credit To to talk about, and after another moment's hesitation, he turned to the sailor