Part 21 (1/2)

They slept hour after hour, and Lily faithfully performed her duty as sentinel over them. The swamp was as still as the house of death; not a sound was to be heard, for even the alligators were motionless, as they sunned themselves upon the dead logs of the lagoons.

Dan, having slept eight hours strong, was the first to appear on deck.

As he looked at his watch he was surprised to find it so late, and surprised to find Lily acting as watch on deck. His orders had been disregarded; but Lily was too powerful an advocate with him to permit any blame to be cast upon his companions. She persuaded him that every thing which had been done was for the best. Cyd soon after made his appearance, having slept all he could at one stretch, and the boys proceeded to get breakfast. Ham and eggs, coffee and toast, const.i.tuted the repast, prepared by the skilful hand of Lily, though she was a.s.sisted by her willing friends.

Quin did not wake till the meal was ready to be put upon the table; and the party all sat down to this princely banquet in the forward cabin, with the feeling that they were fortunate beyond all other fugitives that had ever escaped to the swamp.

After breakfast--or rather dinner, if we designate the meal by the time of day--Lily insisted upon her right to clear off the table and wash the dishes, which was yielded after some discussion, though with the proviso that Cyd should a.s.sist in the heavy work. While they were thus engaged, Dan and Quin took the bateau, which had been put into the water before dinner, and rowed up the bayou to explore the region above them. Finding an un.o.bstructed pa.s.sage for about two miles, they returned.

By this time the work of the housekeepers was finished, and the labor of towing the Isabel up the bayou was commenced. As the water was very shallow in some places, they had to follow the channel; and it was sundown when they had moored her to the point they had reached in the bateau.

”That will do very well,” said Dan, as they made her fast to a tree.

”De n.i.g.g.e.r-hunters neber find us here, for sartin,” added Cyd, as he dashed the sweat from his brow.

”We are not in a safe place yet,” continued Dan. ”But we are in no hurry, and we won't do any more to-day. Let us have supper and go to bed.”

Lily had already made the tea, and had every thing in a forward state of preparation.

After supper, the important question of the watch came up again for consideration.

”We may as well settle this matter once for all,” said Dan. ”I suppose six hours' sleep is enough for any of us.”

”Plenty,” added Quin.

”Dunno,” said Cyd, shaking his head, and gaping as though he had not slept any for a week. ”Dis chile allus goes to sleep at eight, and wakes up at five. How long's dat, Dan?”

”Nine hours; that's enough for a hog.”

”Nuff for a n.i.g.g.e.r too.”

”I have got a plan all ready, and if you agree to it we will adopt it,”

added Dan.

”You's de cap'n, and weder we 'gree to it or not, you mus hab your own way,” continued Cyd.

”Not at all. We'll have no captain here. We are not at sea, and we will all be equal. What we do will be for our own safety. I intend to keep my watch, and do my share of the work; so you needn't grumble, Cyd.”

”Possifus! Cyd neber grubble in his life.”

”You seem to think that I want to make you do more than your share.”

”No, sar! I's tink you do more'n your share, Dan. Cyd ain't notin but a n.i.g.g.e.r, and you's almos' a gen'leman.”

”Come, come, Cyd. I shall be angry if you talk in that way. I am just the same as the rest of you.”

”Hossifus! Wha--wha--wha----”

”That'll do, Cyd.”