Part 44 (1/2)
Find Jupe fas' sleep. _Ck, ck, ck_!”
And he threw out one bare foot as if emulating some one who had heavily kicked a slave who was lying asleep.
The feeling of fear that had made the black dart back into the cover of the trees had now pa.s.sed away in favour of a display of eager curiosity, and he came close to the boat, where he watched the sailors laying in their oars and the c.o.xswain hook on to one of the trees, while the officers prepared to land.
”Now, then,” said the lieutenant, ”show us a dry place; it is all muddy here.”
”Jupe show landum place, sah,” said the man sharply.
”Very well, and then you can lead us up to the house.”
”Yes, sah. Take buccra up through plantashum, but Jupe no dare go.”
”What do you mean?” said Mr Anderson. ”You offered to go just now.”
”Yes, sah; but Jupe forget all 'bout Ma.s.sa Huggum. De overseer go in great big pashum, sah. Call Jupe ugly black n.i.g.g.e.r, sah.”
”What for?”
”Take buccra officer up to plantashum see de n.i.g.g.e.rs, sah.”
”Oh, that's how Mr Huggins or Huggum goes on, is it? Well, never mind him,” said the lieutenant; ”lead us up to your master.”
The black showed his teeth again and indulged in his cackling laugh.
”Well, what does that mean, sir?”
”Jupe no dah go, sah. Ma.s.sa Huggum say cut him libbah out.”
”Never mind Mr Huggins, my lad. He'd better! Here, what's your real master's name?”
”Ma.s.sa Allum, sah.”
”Well, take us to him.”
The black shook his head.
”Ma.s.s' Allum 'fraid Ma.s.sa Huggum, sah. Ma.s.sa Huggum call um big name.”
”Then this Huggins is the real master; eh, boy?”
”Dat's the trufe, sah. Ebbery boy in plantation 'fraid of Ma.s.sa Huggum.”
”Well, look here, my sable friend, please understand this: n.o.body here is afraid of your Mr Huggins. Show us the way to the plantation, and if he dares to touch you I'll take him on board, and the boatswain's mate shall tie him up and give him the cat--flog him; do you understand?”
”Ma.s.s' say give Ma.s.s' Huggum whip?”
”Yes, or any one else, boy. Now then, show us the way.”
”Ma.s.sa say quite sewer?”