Hunting the Skipper Part 75

"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 midshipman'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 midshipman, 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.

"No, it is not necessary," said Mr Anderson.

"I beg pardon, sir," cried Murray; "from what this black fellow has said, I think you ought to have some of the men with us."

"Oh, very well, then," cried the lieutenant, "bring half-a-dozen of the lads with you, Mr Roberts;" and the hall had a very business-like aspect as, to Murray's great disgust, Caesar led him into the study.

"Why, what are you doing, man?" he cried. "Mr Allen is not in here.

I've searched the place three times."

The black looked up at him quickly and showed his teeth; but it was in no grin of cunning, for the poor fellow's face looked muddy and strange.

"Caesar know," he whispered hoa.r.s.ely, and the midshipman felt the fingers which gripped his wrist twitch and jerk as he was pulled towards the corner of the room just beyond the window.

Here the black stopped short, trembling violently, and pointed downward, before darting back, loosening Murray's wrist and making for the door.

"Stop him, Roberts," cried Murray; but his words were needless, for the way of exit was completely blocked by the midshipman and his men.

"What does he mean by all this?" said Mr Anderson angrily.

"I don't quite know, sir," cried Murray; but he followed and caught the black by the arm. "Come," he continued; "show us where Mr Allen is."

"Caesar berry frighten', ma.s.sa," whispered the poor fellow, whose teeth were chattering; but he yielded to Murray's hand and followed him back towards the corner of the little room, where his eyes a.s.sumed a fixed and staring look as he leaned forward and pointed downward at the thick rug of fur which covered that part of the floor.

"What does he mean?" cried the lieutenant. "Is the planter buried there?"

"Show us what you mean," cried Murray, and he tried to draw the black forward; but the poor fellow dropped upon his knees, resisting with all his might, and, with eyes starting and rolling and teeth chattering, he kept on pointing downward, darting his index finger at the floor.

"I beg pardon, sir," said Tom May gruffly. "I think I know what he means."

"What is it, then?" cried Murray.

"It's snakes, sir, same as I heered up-stairs."

"Perhaps so," said the lieutenant, "so take care; some of these serpents creep into the houses here, and they are very poisonous. Mind what you are about, Mr Murray. Let the black pull the rug away. Mr Roberts, a couple of your men here with cutla.s.ses. Be smart, my lads, and strike the moment the brute is uncovered."

"Ay, ay, sir!" came in a chorus from the guard; but every Jack stood fast, waiting for his fellows to volunteer.

"Pull the rug away, Caesar," said Murray, as soon as the men had been ordered to advance, which they did after making a great show of spitting in their hands to get a good grip of the cutla.s.ses they drew.

"No, no, no, ma.s.sa. Caesar 'fraid, sah. Ma.s.sa Huggin kill poor Caesar dead, for show."

"Is there a snake there, darkie?" said the lieutenant impatiently.

"No, ma.s.sa. No, ma.s.sa," panted the poor fellow. "Caesar brave boy; no frighten snake. Ma.s.sa Huggin kill um for show."

"What does he mean? Master Huggin will make a show of him?"