Part 16 (2/2)
”Hossifus!” groaned Cyd, in mortal terror.
”Shut up, Cyd,” added Dan, sternly. ”If you can't hold your tongue, I'll throw you overboard!”
”Possifus! Ugh! Wha--wha--wha----”
”Come, Cyd,” interposed Quin, in a low tone, ”don't make a noise. If you do, we shall all be lost.”
”Dis chile's awful skeered. I done wish I hadn't come,” replied Cyd, in a gentler tone; but the words trembled on his lips.
”Quin,” said Dan.
”Sar,” replied the fugitive, with a self-possession which thoroughly shamed the quaking Cyd.
”Take hold of the painter of the bateau, and haul it alongside.”
”Yes, sar.”
”Cyd, take hold and help him. Haul it up to the foremast, and take it on deck.”
The order was obeyed, though Cyd, in his terror, was not able to render much a.s.sistance. The bateau was taken on deck to a.s.sist the sailing of the Isabel, and also to prevent the pursuers from seizing it, if they should unfortunately come near enough to do so.
”Stop your boat, I say,” yelled the slave-hunter, after they had pulled for a few moments with the most determined zeal.
”Can't stop!” replied Dan.
”Stop her, or I'll fire into you!”
”Gossifus!” exclaimed Cyd, whose teeth were still chattering with fear.
Dan made no reply, and concluded not to answer any more questions.
”Are ye go'n to stop her?” demanded the pursuer. ”I b'lieve you've got that n.i.g.g.e.r on board; and if ye don't heave to, I'll fotch ye up with a bullet.”
”Bring up the guns, Cyd,” said Dan, with forced coolness.
”Wha--wha--wha----”
”The guns!” said Dan, fiercely, as he stamped his foot upon the flooring to emphasize his meaning.
”Gossifus! I done think--” But Cyd disappeared in the cabin without giving those on deck the benefit of his thoughts.
”Now, Lily, you must go into your cabin. Lie down in your berth, for they may fire upon us,” said Dan. ”Don't be alarmed; there are only three men in that boat, and we can certainly beat them off.”
”I will not leave you, Dan. I am not afraid of the bullets. I only fear----”
At that moment the report of a gun startled them, and the ball whistled close by Dan's head.
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