Part 8 (1/2)

”Neither; jump into the bateau, and bring the wherry alongside,” replied Dandy.

”Gossifus! What you gwine to do wid de wherry?”

”Mind me, or go on sh.o.r.e!” said the skipper, sternly.

”I'se gwine. Golly! dat makes two boats apiece all round, for sartin.”

”Go, quick!”

”I'se gone; 'pears like I'se only swapped off Ma.s.sa Archy for Ma.s.sa Dandy.”

But Cyd obeyed the order, and brought the wherry to the side of the Isabel, to which she was secured, like the other boats. The bewildered boy was not in the habit of doing his own thinking, and his faculties were not, therefore, very fully developed, and an explanation would have relieved him of a world of doubts and conjectures.

”Now, have your jib halyards ready, and stand by the moorings,” said Dandy.

”Yes, sar!” replied Cyd, putting a wicked emphasis on the complimentary part of the answer.

”Let go the moorings!” shouted Dandy, as he hauled in the main sheet.

”All gone, Ma.s.sa Dandy,” replied Cyd, as the heavy rope by which the boat was secured splashed into the water.

”Hoist the jib!” added the skipper, in the same loud tones, that he might be heard above the noise of the flapping sail.

”Up she goes,” responded Cyd, joyously.

The Isabel, released from her moorings, caught the breeze, and the voyage of the young fugitives was commenced. She leaped like a race-horse before the fresh breeze.

”We done gone!” exclaimed Cyd, as he walked aft, when he had secured the jib sheet.

”We are off!” replied Dandy, as he cast an anxious glance in the direction of the planter's great house, to a.s.sure himself that none of its inmates witnessed their departure.

The night was very dark, and there were indications of a storm. It required all the skill of the bold leader of the expedition to steer the boat in the thick gloom of the night. The navigation was difficult and dangerous. The bayou was filled with snags and stumps, and to strike one of them was to dash the boat in pieces, and wreck all the hopes which hung upon the success of the enterprise. But Dandy was thoroughly acquainted with all the difficulties in his course, and was so familiar with the waters of the bayou, that he was as much at home upon them by night as by day.

”Hoist the foresail, Cyd,” said the skipper.

”Mossifus! Dis chile tinks de boat's gwine fas enough,” answered Cyd, ”but I'se gwine to do jus what you say, Ma.s.sa Dandy.”

”Do it then.”

Cyd did do it then; but it was evident to the commander of the Isabel that the ”crew” of his vessel was in a lamentable state of insubordination. All his orders were questioned, and the boat was liable to go to the bottom in an emergency, because his commands were not promptly obeyed. He was not a little astonished at Cyd's conduct, for in the boat of Master Archy he was in the habit of obeying all orders like a machine, never presuming to ask a question, or suggest a doubt.

The foresail was set, and the Isabel dashed on with increased speed.

There was no more ”working s.h.i.+p” to be done, and Cyd again took his place on the cus.h.i.+oned seats in the standing-room, a luxury, by the way, in which he had never before attempted to indulge himself; but when it is considered that he had just emerged from slavery to freedom, his want of respect for the dignity of the ”quarter deck” will be fully excused.

”Go forward, Cyd, and keep a sharp lookout ahead,” said Dandy, as soon as the ”crew” was comfortably seated on the cus.h.i.+on.

”Gossifus! I suppose I'se a n.i.g.g.e.r still,” said he. ”Dis chile tinks he's jes as good's any body now.”