The attendant eyed him without awe or admiration. Jacky, as he was called, lacked some of his senses and never spoke. Then, while Jesse capered about like a monkey, down in the hot haze of the distance amid trees and rocks, the old monster suddenly saw a cavalcade struggling up the hill. Two horsemen were approaching.
Now the Obi Man retired again to complete very special and secret preparations for the hope of the house of Vivian. He withdrew behind the curtain, stooped low in his secret corner, and drew forth a box from beneath much rubbish that covered it. Next he lighted a candle, opened the box and from it took a smaller one. This contained a grey, sticky matter, like bird-lime. Digging out some of the stuff upon the point of a wooden skewer, Jesse, with his thumb, held back the flesh of his middle right-hand finger, and, under the nail, deposited the compound from the box. He plastered it there, and since all his nails were long and dirty, the presence of this strange ointment was not likely to attract attention. He hid the box again, blew out his candle, and, returning to the air, went forward to meet his company.
The horsemen arrived and drew up before Jesse’s gate as he leapt forward and bowed low, while his finery made savage music.
“By Jove! we’re lucky!” exclaimed Jabez. “I told you that you should see an Obi doctor, but I never thought he would have all his war-paint on!”
“Tell him to get further off,” answered Vivian. “My horse is growing restive.”
“Gib you berry good day, Massa Ford; and you too, sar!” cried Jesse, bowing again and again. “Poor ole man Hagan, he berry pleased to see gem’men.”
“This is Mr Vivian, Jesse,” explained the overseer. “His father is Sir Reginald Vivian—the great man who owns the Pelican Estate.”
Jesse saluted respectfully.
“I proud nigger dis day. Wonderful esteats—wonderful sugar esteats, massa. No canes like de canes on Pelican land. Come in, gem’men. Jacky hold your hosses and make dem fast. I’se proud to see two such gem’men in dis place.”
Ford made signs to the negro, but did not speak. Then he turned to Henry Vivian.