“Dat really for true,” said another.
“Yes, by gum,” replied a third.
Oh, how I wished to know what to say at that moment! The observations of the negroes made me imagine that I had better not ask for it and yet how I clung to life! It was an awful moment—I felt as if I had lived a year in a few minutes. For a second or two I felt faint and giddy—I drew a long breath and revived.
“You don’t answer me, boy,” said the negro captain.
“Why should I ask when I feel certain to be refused? If you will give me my life, I will thank you: I don’t particularly wish to die, I can assure you.”
“I have taken an oath never to spare a white man. For once I am sorry that I cannot break my oath.”
“If that is all, I am a boy, and not a man,” replied I. “Keep me till I grow bigger.”
“By golly, captain, that very well said. Keep him, captain,” said one of the negroes.
“Yes, captain,” replied another; “keep him to tend your cabin. Proper you have white slave boy.”
The negro captain for some time made no reply; he appeared to be in deep thought. At last he said—