Part 6 (1/2)

”But very far-reaching, sir,” continued the lieutenant, ”and I promise you full protection for all that you do. Why, surely, man, you will be able to cultivate your plantation far more peacefully and with greater satisfaction with the river cleared of this abominable traffic.”

”Well, if you put it in that way, mister, I should,” said the man, ”and that's a fine range of rich land where the black chief has his people and their huts. I could do wonders with that bit if I could hold it safely. The rubber I'd plant there would be enough to--”

”Rub out all the black marks that the slave-trade has made.”

”Very good, Mr Murray,” said the lieutenant, smiling pleasantly, ”but this is no time to try and be smart.”

”Eh?” said the American. ”Was that what he was aiming at? I didn't understand; but I tell yew that there is about a mile of rich syle there which if I had I could make it projuice a fortune.”

”Look here, sir,” said the lieutenant, ”I have no doubt about the possibility of your being helped by the British Government to take possession of such a tract after we have done with it.”

”Why, you don't mean, Mister Chief Officer, that you will let your British Lion put his paw upon it and stick to it till you've done with it, as you say?”

”No, no, no,” said the lieutenant, smiling. ”I mean that the British Lion will put its paw upon the horrible settlement in this way and will root out the traffic, and we shall only be too glad to encourage the rise of a peaceful honest culture such as you are carrying on.”

”You mean then that you'll root out the slaves and burn the chief's town?”

”Most certainly,” said the lieutenant. ”And help me to get hold of that there land?”

”I believe I may promise that.”

”And take care that the Portygee slaver c.o.c.k has his comb cut so as he dursen't meddle with me?”

”I feel sure that all this will follow if you help us to capture the slaver, and point out where the abominable traffic is carried on.”

”Shake on it,” said the American, thrusting out a thin yellow hand with unpleasantly long nails.

”Shake hands upon the compact?” said the lieutenant good-humouredly.

”Very good;” and he gave the yellow hand a good manly grip.

”Then I'm on!” cried the man effusively. ”But look here, yew're in this too;” and he stretched out his hand to Murray. ”Yew're a witness to all your chief said.”

”Oh, all right,” said Murray, and he let the long, thin, unpleasantly cold and dank fingers close round his hand, but not without a feeling of disgust which was expressed by the making of a grimace as soon as the American turned to the lieutenant again.

”That's settled, then,” said the latter, ”so go on at once and lead while we follow.”

”What!” said the American, with a look of wonder.

”I say, go on and guide us to the slaver's nest.”

”What, just alone like this here?”

”Yes, of course. You see we are well-armed and ready to board and take the schooner at once. Fire will destroy the chief's town.”

”Well, you do 'maze me,” said the American, showing his teeth.

”What do you mean?” said the lieutenant sternly. ”Are you going to draw back?”

”Not me, mister. That's a bargain,” said the man, grinning. ”I mean that you 'maze me, you Englishers do, by your cheek. I don't doubt you a bit. You mean it, and yew'll dew it. Why, I dessay if yew yewrself wasn't here this here young shaver of an officer would have a try at it hisself. You would, wouldn't you, youngster?”