Part 12 (1/2)
”Wha--wha--wha--” stammered Cyd, as he always did when excited; but the idea was too big for him just then, and he broke down altogether.
”That's a settled point, and you must learn to use a gun.”
”Woo--woo--woo--would you shoot Ma.s.sa Kun'l, if he come for to take you?” demanded Cyd.
”I would, or any other man. I belong to myself now, and I will fight for my own freedom to the last.”
”I dunno 'bout dat, Dan,” mused Cyd. ”Hossifus! Shoot Ma.s.sa Kun'l! Dunno 'bout dat.”
”Turn in, Cyd, and go to sleep. You may have the first chance.”
The two boys drew lots for the choice of berths, and Dan obtained the after one. Cyd was soon snoring in one of the forward bunks, while Dan took his place upon deck to guard against the approach of man or beast that might threaten their newly-acquired freedom.
CHAPTER XI.
THE BAY OF THE BLOODHOUNDS.
Dan had his solitary watch for four hours, with nothing to disturb his meditations except the occasional visit of an alligator; but as the ugly reptiles did not offer to swallow the boat, or otherwise interfere with her, the lonely sentinel did not even challenge the intruders. He was very sleepy, for he had not closed his eyes during the preceding night, and his great purpose had sadly interfered with his slumbers since the time for its execution had been fixed.
It was one o'clock when he called the ”watch below.” Lily was still wrapped in slumber, worn out by her sleepless night, and by the excitement of her novel position. After charging Cyd to keep awake, a.s.suring him that ”eternal vigilance was the price of liberty,” Dan went into the cabin to obtain the rest he so much needed. He slept soundly, and, no doubt, dreamed strange things; but when he awoke it was nearly dark. Starting up with a spring, he bounded to the deck, where he found Cyd fast asleep upon the cus.h.i.+ons of the standing room.
”Cyd!” exclaimed he, seizing the faithless sentinel by the collar. ”Is this the way you keep watch?”
”Possifus!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Cyd, as he sprang to his feet. ”I done been asleep.”
”Been asleep! I should think you had! Have you been snoring there all the afternoon?”
”No, _sar_! Dis chile hain't been asleep more'n two minutes--no, sar, nor more'n a minute and a half.”
”Yes, you have; you have been asleep all the afternoon. You deserve to be a slave all the rest of your life!” added Dan, indignantly.
”Gossifus! I tink not. Wha--wha--wha--what does you mean by dat?”
stuttered Cyd.
”How dared you go to sleep when you were on watch?”
”I tell you, Dan, I'se been wide awake all de arternoon. Hadn't been asleep quite two minutes.”
”He hasn't slept long, Dan,” said Lily, as she came out of the cabin; ”for I was with him only a little while ago.”
”I'm glad of it, if he hasn't,” added Dan, more calmly.
”You kin bet yer life dis chile don't go to sleep on de watch. No, _sar_!”
”But you did go to sleep, Cyd. You were asleep when I came on deck.”
”I jes close my eyes for a minute, but I was jes gwine to wake up when you comed on deck.”
”I can't keep awake all the time; I must sleep some.”