Part 101 (1/2)
”Oh yes, sir, thoroughly. I'm sure he saved my life.”
”Humph! Well, I want to have faith in him, but it is hard work to trust in people sometimes. Then I get thinking a great deal about that Mr Allen. I suppose he is sincere.”
”Oh, I feel sure he is, sir. The thorough reverence the black Caesar has for him is sufficient to prove that his master is good to his people.”
”Well, after the ill these slave-owners have done the poor creatures they owe them something in the way of recompense. Humph! How strange!
We begin talking of the black, and here he is. He wants to speak to you, seemingly. Call him up.”
Caesar had come peering in at one of the doors, and as soon as Murray signed to him he hurried eagerly into the room, when the lieutenant looked at him searchingly and said--
”What about your master, my man? Where do you think he is now?”
Caesar started violently, and his lips quivered as he said huskily--
”Caesar don't know, sah. Berry much frighten.”
”What, about the slavers and their schooners?”
”No, ma.s.sa. Caesar 'fraid Ma.s.sa Huggin take um and kill um.”
”What for? Why should he kill one who is his master?”
”Bad man, ma.s.sa. 'Fraid Ma.s.sa Allen talk to Bri'sh cap'en and set all a black free. 'Fraid Ma.s.sa Huggin kill um.”
”Not so bad as that, I hope,” said the lieutenant.
”Caesar berry much 'fraid Ma.s.sa Allen no let Caesar kill Ma.s.sa Huggin.”
”I should think not!” said the lieutenant; and Caesar looked at him curiously.
”Ma.s.sa Huggin bad man, sah. Caesar kill, sua. Him take away and kill um. Caesar t'ink so first time. T'ink so now.”
”Where would he take them?”
”Caesar know, sah. Show Bri'sh officer where. Oder side island where slabe barracks and slabe s.h.i.+p come.”
”You could take us there, my man?” said the lieutenant.
”Yes, ma.s.sa. Caesar show way when Bri'sh cap'en come wif plenty men.
Not 'nough now. All get kill. Show Bri'sh officer all um slabes. All Ma.s.sa Huggin strong men, berry strong men.”
”Good. You shall, my man,” said the lieutenant; ”and as you say this Huggins's men are so strong we will wait for reinforcements, so as to make sure of taking them.”
”Ma.s.sa try,” said the black. ”Try sabe Ma.s.sa Allen. Try quick.”
”But what are you fidgeting about?” said Murray sharply.
”Caesar t'ink Ma.s.sa Huggin man come and fight soon.”
”What makes you think that?” asked Murray.