Part 60 (2/2)
Huggins! Why, it literally smells of villainy. But as I was going to say, this Huggins has placed himself completely in our hands by firing upon his Majesty's forces, and we are now going to give him a thoroughly severe lesson.”
”I hope so, sir,” said the chief officer. ”Hope so, Mr Anderson!”
cried the captain, turning. ”We are going to, and at once. But look here, you tell me that the man's princ.i.p.al owns quite a handsome country seat up yonder?”
”Yes, sir.”
”And you saw the slaving barracks where they collect the unfortunate wretches which are brought over from the West Coast of Africa?”
”No, sir; we saw nothing of that kind, but the surroundings are thickly wooded as well as highly cultivated, and this must all be done by numbers of slaves.”
”Exactly, and this--what do you say his name is?--Allen?”
”Yes, sir.”
”--lives the life of a wealthy slave-owner there?”
”Boat just slipped out from among the trees, sir!” cried Murray excitedly.
”How dare you interrupt me in that rude--Eh? Yes, of course! A boat, Mr Murray? What do you make her out to be?--Not coming to the attack?”
”No, sir,” replied the middy, giving his fellow a quick glance full of mirth. ”Row-boat, sir, pulled by a dozen black fellows--six oars a side. Man holding the ropes in white. Looks to me like--”
”The scoundrel Huggins coming out to surrender?”
”No, sir,” said the lad eagerly. ”I can't quite make out at this distance, but I think it's like the thin delicate-looking Mr Allen whom Huggins was so insolent to.”
”What!” cried the captain.
”Yes, sir,” said the chief officer, who had had his gla.s.s to his eye; ”Mr Murray is quite right. This is the head man--proprietor, I suppose--of the plantation.”
”Come to surrender,” said the captain, rubbing his hands, and then taking the gla.s.s his chief officer offered to him. ”A nice scoundrel!”
muttered the captain, as he scanned the boat. ”Everything in style, eh, and a black slave to hold a white umbrella over his head for fear the sun should burn his cheeks. Well, things are going to alter a good deal for him. The cowardly dog! This is showing the white feather, and no mistake. Well, Mr Anderson, I did not expect this.”
The captain tucked the telescope under his arm and drawing himself up, marched off, while preparations were made for the coming boat's reception. The men were at their stations, and a couple of marines took their places at the gangway, while the young officers eagerly scanned the chief occupant of the boat, the doctor, who had just come on deck after seeing to the slight injuries of the first cutter's men, joining the mids.h.i.+pmen.
”Thank you, Murray,” he said, handing back the gla.s.s the lad had offered him. ”So this is the diabolical ruffian whose men fired upon his Majesty's able seamen and officers, is it? Well, he doesn't look very terrible. I think I could tackle him with a little quinine.”
”Yes, doctor; he looked to me like a thorough invalid,” whispered Murray.
”He is an invalid, my lad. Had fever badly. The fellow's come for advice.”
”What's that?” said the captain sharply, for the doctor had made no scruple about giving his opinions aloud.
”I say your slaver or pirate captain looks as if he had come to visit the doctor and not the captain,” replied the gentleman addressed.
”Come to go into irons,” said the captain.
”Not he, sir. He doesn't want iron; steel is more in his way. Poor fellow! He looks as if you could blow him away.”
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