Part 6 (2/2)

”Why, of course I would,” said Murray proudly; and then, feeling afraid that his a.s.sertion might be looked upon as braggadocio, he hastened to add, ”I--I--er--meant to say that I would try, and our brave fellows would take the prisoners.”

”Nay, nay, yew would,” said the American. ”There ain't nothing to be ashamed on in being brave, is there, mister?”

”Of course not,” said the lieutenant.

”Of course not,” said the American; ”but look here, sirree, it's no good to lose brave men by trying to do things that's a bit too strong and starky for you.”

”What, do you mean that the schooner's crew would be too strong for us?”

”Nay, not me, mister. Yew'd chaw them up safe. But there's the black king; he's got close upon a hundred fighting men, chaps with spears.

He'd fight too, for though they ain't got much brains, these n.i.g.g.e.rs, he'd know you'd be going to do away with his bread and cheese, as you may say. No, sirree, I ain't a fighting man; rubber's my line, but I want to _get_ hold of that bit of syle--make sewer of it, as you may say; and if I'd got that job to do I should get another boatful of men if you could. Don't know of a British s.h.i.+p handy, do you?”

”Of course. My captain is off the coast not far away. You did not suppose that we came alone?”

”Oh, I didn't know, mister. Could you bring your captain then?”

”Yes.”

”And another boat?”

”Of course.”

”Then if I was you I should tell him to sail up the river.”

”What, is there water enough--deep water?” asked the lieutenant.

”Whatcher talking about?” said the man contemptuously. ”Why, didn't you see me sail out?”

The lieutenant shook his head.

”Think o' that!” said the American. ”Way in's bit narrer, but as soon as you get threw the trees you're in a big mighty river you can sail up for months if yew like. I have heerd that there's some falls somewhere, but I've never seem 'em. Water enough? My snakes! There's water enough to make a flood, if you want one, as soon as you get by the winding bits.”

”The river winds?” said the lieutenant.

”Winds? I should think she does! Why, look yonder, mister,” continued the man, pointing. ”It's all trees like that for miles. You've got to get through them.”

”Deep water?” asked the lieutenant.

”Orful! On'y it's 'bout as muddy as rivers can be made.”

”And you a.s.sure me that you could pilot us in and right up to the slaver's stronghold?”

”Pilot yew? Yew don't want no piloting; all yew've got to do is to sail up in and out through the big wilderness of trees. Yew wouldn't want no piloting, but if you undertake to see that I have that chief's land, and clear him and his black crews away, I'll lay _yew_ off his front door where you can blow his palm-tree palace all to smithers without losing a man.”

”And what about the slaver?” asked Murray.

”What about her? She'll be lying anch.o.r.ed there, of course.”

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