“I haven’t got no boys of my own,” he said, “but if I had, I should say this was a sort o’ lesson to you to always have right on your side. It’s again’ the law, but it’s right all the same. See how we carried all before us, eh, my lads! The doctor’s fist was as good as half a dozen guns, and regularly settled the matter at once.”
“Then we may set these poor fellows free now?” I said.
“Well, I shouldn’t like to be one of them as did it,” said the captain drily. “Look at the shore.”
I glanced in that direction and saw that it was crowded with blacks, all armed with spears and war-clubs, which they were brandishing excitedly.
“They wouldn’t know friends from foes,” said the doctor quietly. “No; we must wait.”
I saw the reason for these remarks; and as soon as we had reached the side of the schooner and got our captives on board I attended the doctor while he busied himself bandaging and strapping cuts, the blacks staring at him wondering, and then at Jimmy, who looked the reverse of friendly, gazing down at the prisoners scornfully, and telling Jack Penny in confidence that he did not think much of common sort black fellow.
“Jimmy xiv all o’ men waddy spear if try to kedge Jimmy,” he said, drawing himself up and showing his teeth. “No kedge Jimmy. Killer um all.”
It was hard work to get the poor prisoners to understand that we meant well by them.
“You see they think you’re having ’em patched up,” said Jack Penny, “so as they’ll sell better. I say, Joe Carstairs, give your black fellow a topper with his waddy; he’s making faces at that chap, and pretending to cut off his legs.”
“Here, you be quiet, Jimmy, or I’ll send you below,” I said sharply; and as I went to the breaker to get a pannikin of water for one of the men, Jimmy stuck his hands behind him, pointed his nose in the air, and walked forward with such a display of offended dignity that Jack Penny doubled up, putting his head between his knees and pinning it firm, while he laughed in throes, each of which sent a spasm through his loose-jointed body.