Part 12 (1/2)
”With all lass of strong waters to be handed to Sah as he reached the bottoood; I feel once more like Sam Stokes instead of the rascally Mustapha Mouser I was turned into”
As soon as the shi+p had been put to rights a course was shaped for Cadiz, to which port Captain Benbow told his young friends he was bound when attacked by the Sallee rover
”Now that you have colad to fulfil my proer ”I was heartily sorry to have to leave you behind, as I kne much you would be disappointed, but I was ot back there was no time to send down to Dorsetshi+re and have you up, should you have been still willing to co as there is time to fulfil it, and so you are welcoer warmly expressed his thanks, and said that he would rather serve with Captain Benbow than go on board any other shi+p Heno wish to follow the sea as a profession, declined accepting it, though he begged that heto the shi+p Ju round eyes on the Captain with an inquiring glance, but had been apparently tooa profound bow, said, ”Me tink you remember Jumbo, Captain Benbow; serve on board dis shi+p to sweep cabin when little boy”
”Cannot say that I recollect your face; to er is much like another; but I have no doubt about the truth of your story, and aain, and will enter you on the shi+p's books as one of my crew if you wish it”
”Oh yes, lad serve Captain Benbow; hope to sail wid you while you keep de sea”
”Notanywhere else,” said the Captain
So the ht, found hiate In about three days land was sighted, and that evening the shi+p entered theafter breakfast the Captain ordered his boat to go on shore, and invited Roger and Stephen to accoo with us,” he said ”You will have to carry a sack on your shoulders, but you need not ask what is in it”
”Neber mind, Captain, me ready to do whateber you tell er and Stephen had taken their seats in the boat with the Captain, when Ju canvas sack, which was handed down after hirinned as they watched it placed in the bows of the boat
”Give way, my lads,” cried the Captain, and they pulled for the shore
They soon reached the quay, when, the Captain and his young friends stepping out, he ordered Juone far when they met two officers of the revenue, who stopped and inquired as contained in the sack the negro carried
”Salt provisions for my own use,” answered Captain Benbow ”You know me I am a frequent trader to this port, and I have never atte the contents of the sack
”No, no,” said the Captain, ”I have made up oods since I ca so now”
”We cannot help ourselves, Senor What you say ainst our orders to allow you to pass However, as thenot far off, if you like to declare before theroI wish,” said the Captain ”I will go before the istrates, and if they desire to see my salt provisions, they shall be welco, with his two young friends, Ju up the rear, proceeded to the custorave and reverend Senors were sitting The officers at once stated what had occurred, when the president, who knew Captain Benbow, greeted hiret that he should have to inconvenience him for such a trifle, but observed that he must adhere to the laws; that as soon as he had shohat the sack contained he should be at liberty to proceed wherever hemy salt provisions, I will show them to you,” said the Captain ”Jumbo, open that sack and throw the contents out on the table”
Ju, and his norant of what he had been carrying, and, untying the string, out rolled thirteen gory heads
The istrates started back, some with amazement, others with horror expressed in their countenances
”There they are,” cried the Captain, ”and at your service”
”How did you becoht sabre served me to cut the fruit froave an account of how he had been attacked by the Sallee rover, and succeeded in driving her off, after she had lost a large number of her men, besides those who had fallen on the deck of his shi+p, and whose heads he now exhibited