Part 75 (1/2)
”Yes, ma.s.sa. Caesar know.”
”Hah! This sounds business-like,” cried the lieutenant. ”But why in the name of all that's sensible didn't you examine this fellow before, Murray?”
”I did, sir,” cried the lad, trembling with excitement, as he laid his hand upon the black's arm. Then quickly, ”Tell me where he is, my lad.”
”Ma.s.sa, Bri'sh sailor no tell Ma.s.sa Huggin Caesar open him moufe?”
”No, my lad. No one shall know that you told me. Speak out.”
”Ma.s.sa Huggin cut Caesar all lilly pieces when he find out.”
”We will take care no one shall hurt you,” cried Murray excitedly.
”Tell him, Mr Anderson, that we will set him free.”
”To be sure,” cried the lieutenant. ”You shall be free.”
”Bri'sh sailor officer set Caesar free,--Caesar open um moufe?”
”That's right, then open it wide, my sable friend,” said the lieutenant.
”Tell me.”
”No, ma.s.sa. Caesar tell young buccra officer;” and he turned with sparkling eyes upon Murray.
”Speak, then,” cried Murray, trembling with excitement; and the black glanced round him again as if for danger, and then reached forward so as to place his lips close to the mids.h.i.+pman's ear.
”Ma.s.sa Huggin come while Ma.s.sa Allen fas' 'sleep and take um right away.”
”Hah!” cried Murray. ”But how, my lad, how?”
The black looked from one officer to the other, a smile of cunning overspreading his features, and he whispered--
”Caesar show Bri'sh officer. Caesar know.”
CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE.
BLACK CAESAR.
Murray made a dash at the black and caught him by the arm, while Tom May sprang to the other side, for, startled by the sudden movement of the mids.h.i.+pman, the poor fellow winced and looked as if about to run.
”No, no,” cried Murray; ”it's all right, Caesar. Show us directly where Mr Allen is.”
”Yes,” whispered the man; ”but no tell Ma.s.sa Huggin. Him kill Caesar for sure. Caesar very frighten.”
”You shan't be hurt, boy,” cried the middy. ”Now then; lead us to where Mr Allen is. Quick!”
The black nodded his head, gave a sharp glance round, and then with trembling hand caught hold of Murray's wrist and led him into the hall again, closely followed by the lieutenant and Tom May, who was as watchful as if he felt sure that their guide was bent upon making his escape.
”Shall I follow with some of the men, sir?” said Roberts, who was in a state of fret from the fear of missing anything that was about to take place.