Part 17 (1/2)
CHAPTER XIV.
THE BATTLE FOR FREEDOM.
”Take the helm, Cyd, and mind how you steer!” said Dan, with earnestness, as he rose from his seat, and seized one of the guns.
”Hossifus!” exclaimed Cyd, aghast at the thought. ”Wha--wha--wha----”
”Take the helm!” repeated the resolute skipper, with a decision which left no alternative for the boy.
”Possifus! Dis chile don't want to set dar, and be shooted.”
”There is no more danger there than there is any where else. Take your place, and don't be a coward. If you want to be free, you must fight for it now.”
”Golly! Dis n.i.g.g.e.r ain't afeered, but Cyd don't want to be shooted, kase you can't do widout Cyd.”
But the trembling foremast hand took his place at the tiller. He continued to mutter to himself, as though he was repelling the charge of cowardice which had been fastened upon him.
”Come, Lily, you must go into your cabin now,” added Dan, tenderly, as he turned to Lily. ”This is no place for you.”
”O, I'm not afraid of the guns, Dan; only of the slave-hunters, and I cannot hide myself from them.”
”You may escape if you stay in the cabin, and you can do no good here. I shall feel better to know that you are in a place of safety.”
”I'm not afraid, Dan; really, I am not,” replied she, earnestly.
”But you are in our way here, Lily. Do go into your cabin, and lie down in your berth.”
”I will if I am in the way.”
”If we have to fight, it will be right here, and I am determined to resist to the last.”
”I will go;” and Dan led her to the door of her cabin.
She entered, and threw herself upon the cus.h.i.+ons of the berth, and Dan, satisfied that she was in a place of comparative safety, turned his attention to the defence of his party.
”Can you handle a gun?” said he, turning to Quin, who appeared to be as cool and resolute as the skipper.
”Well, I done shoot some,” replied Quin.
”Take a gun, then.”
”Wha--wha--wha----” gasped Cyd.
”Silence, Cyd! Keep both eyes on the sails, or I'll put a bullet through your head. I didn't expect you would be a coward at such a time as this.”
”Dis chile ain't a coward,” answered Cyd, rising from his seat.
”Sit down, and mind your helm then!”
”Give me de gun, and I'll show you Cyd ain't no coward, no how.”