Part 9 (1/2)
”Who are you?” he exclaiet off with your lives from the robbers?”
”Is it possible that you are Saer
”I was Sam Stokes, but aratulate you on having turned renegade, but alad to see you,” observed Stephen
”Could not help myself, Mr Battisob; did it to save my life Now I have found you, I want to see how I can help you Maybe you are hungry?”
”That indeed we are,” exclaier
”Then without further palaver I will be off and try and get you some food,” said Saer when Sah starved”
Old Sam did not disappoint them, for in a short tioat's flesh, bread, and dates
”Make haste, lest anybody should coet a taste of the bastinado” They did ary as they were Sam sat down and tried to look as much like a Moor as he could
”How are you e in fitting out one of their vessels She is a fine craft for her size, but I cannot say I quite like the work, for I suppose we shall go robbing on the high seas, and if we are caught shall be strung up like the rest”
”Nor do I, Sah you will only be engaged as Prince Rupert and Prince Morris were after the civil war; not that their exaet clear of the pirates as soon as you can”
”More easily said than done,” answered Sam ”The Moors always keep a look-out on those whoet your advice if I have the opportunity of escaping; but Iyou” And old Sa up, rolled aith his hands in his pockets, looking as independent as any of the passing Moors
”I wonder what is to be our fate,” said Roger
They asked Jumbo to make inquiries His idea was that they were to be sold, but he said that he would try and find out Though looked upon as a slave, he was allowedsupposed that he would not desert them Had they possessedfood, but as they had been deprived of every coin they had had about them, they were entirely dependent on others The appearance of old Sam Stokes somewhat relieved their minds on that score, as they hoped he would find means to supply their wants
When Ju, he looked very melancholy
”Me afraid Ibraim sell us Cruel master Make workee; little food; plenty stick”
”Patience,” said Roger ”We must try to work hard and avoid the stick; and as to the food, we et uard was placed at the door of the yard, so that Ju Ibraim appeared with several other persons, one of who, appeared to be a person of some consideration Ibraim summoned the two lads and Jus, and see on their various qualifications The stranger, whom they heard called Hah Ju to their previousto Ibraim counted out theat the a word of farewell, the old Sheik pocketed the coin and walked ahile the new purchaser beckoned to Stephen, Roger, and Jumbo to follow him
”This is unbearable,” exclaioods and chattels He fancies that we are willingly to be turned over to the ht fit to sell us We must show him that we do not intend to be treated in that way”
”What had we better do?” asked Roger
”Stay where we are, and refuse to follow him,” said Stephen
”Oh, massa, don't do dat,” cried Juot de power”
Ha on his brow as he observed their hesitation, soon showed thereed that it would be wiser to subly followed hih the streets till he reached another court-yard, in which a number of persons were collected, dressed in all sorts of costu thin and careworn, their countenances being those of Europeans