Part 104 (1/2)
Just then the men who had been below came hurrying up, bearing the powder as coolly as if it was so much b.u.t.ter.
”I've brought two on 'em, sir,” said the big sailor, ”and if you'll just look on, sir, we'll make all right.”
”Be careful, my lad,” said Murray. ”Remember the light's here.”
”Ay, ay, sir; we'll be on the lookout for sparks,” replied the man; ”but hullo, sir! Hear that?”
”Yes,” said Murray; ”firing over there, and the captain at work.”
”Three cheers for 'em, my lads! We shall have the beggars at us here soon.”
CHAPTER FIFTY ONE.
LAYING THE TRAIN.
The dangerous preparations were soon made, and Tom May's and his comrades' hands were plainly seen trembling as they handled their kegs.
”Look at that now, sir,” said the big sailor. ”Did you ever see such a set o' cowards in your life?”
”Cowards, Tom? Never,” said Murray, who was all of a quiver too.
”More did I, sir. I wouldn't ha' believed I could ha' been in such a s.h.i.+ver and shake. I supposed it'd be for fear we shouldn't be ready for the warmint; but it don't look like it, do it?”
”Yes, Tom, for your hands are steady enough now you've done.”
”Well, I hope so, sir,” said the man, ”because it seems such a bad example to the lads, and they've all ketched it. Hullo, darkie! What, are you shaking too?”
”Yes, Ma.s.sa Tom,” replied the black, with his teeth chattering. ”Caesar drefful frighten we no get the gunpowder go off when Ma.s.sa Huggin man come. You let Caesar take lilly barrel now and light um, ma.s.sa.”
”Why, here's another awfully cowardly chap, Mr Murray, sir. It's a rum un, arn't it?”
”You make has'e, Ma.s.sa Tom May; not talkee so much palaver,” cried the trembling black, seizing hold of one of the barrels and hoisting it upon his shoulder. ”You bring candle; set light.”
”No, no, Caesar,” cried Murray. ”Not ready yet. Wait.”
The man parted with the little keg unwillingly, and stood with his hand to his ear straining his neck out of the window, and listened.
”Ma.s.sa Huggin man come along,” he panted.
”Well, we're ready for them, my coal-dust messmate.”
”Hus.h.!.+” whispered Murray. ”Who's that calling?” For a voice reached them from the next room.
”It's Mr Roberts, sir. Ahoy, there! Coming, sir.”
Murray ran through the opening to where the middy was lying trying to make himself heard.
”Were you calling, d.i.c.k?” said Murray, his voice still trembling with excitement.
”Calling? Yes! Shouting till I was hoa.r.s.e. I could hear. You've got powder now. Bring some here, and the fellows' muskets. I can load if I can't do anything else.”