Part 42 (2/2)

”Oh, we'll do that, sir, never you fear That ain't what I'm scared about”

”Then what is?”

”Well, sir, I want to get back without killing anybody if I can, but when they coames with us and hit hard as they do, it's 'most more than flesh and blood can bear to have a cutlash and not use it I know I shall er 'fore I've done”

There was soin the sailor's words, and at the same time so droll a look in his eyes, that Mark could not forbear a ser, Toht, sir Well, I think you ot these two into port the better I shall like it I think I can e, sir”

”But I've altered htfully

”Yes, sir? What do you mean to do now?”

”I'll tell you It seems to me madness, after this lesson in the American's intentions, to divide h then”

”Don't say you ly

”Not while I can lift a hand, Toet the skipper on board the other schooner Then we'll have the cren in our forecastle”

”And leave ate this one, sir? No, that won't do, sir What isn't safe for me, isn't safe for you”

”No, I felt that My plan's a different one We'll have a hawser fro aloft, and tow her while the weather keeps fair”

”Well, sir, I don't see why not,” said Tohtfully

”We can leave the blacks on board; and then we shall have plenty of force to ain”

”That's right, sir; and as long as the weather holds good, we h I think we shall have our hands full But look here, sir; why not--”

”Why not what?”

”There's lots o' irons below, such as they used for the poor niggers

Why shouldn't we couple a lot of the prisoners together, and make 'em safe?”

”Put them in irons, Tom? No, I don't like to do that--only as a last resource”

”Very well, sir,” said To his head where he had received a heavy blow, ”only if you wouldn'ton me, sir, I should like to knohat you calls a last resource”

”I will, To ”Hail our schooner, and tell them to come aboard in the other boat”