The black rested the heavy hoe he carried among the thick growth of the trees which rang alongside of the stream, and pointed away into the dense cover at the back.
“Jupe show massa.”
“Is your master away with the schooner?” asked Murray.
“No, sah. Massa never go to sea. Cap’ Huggum go in um schooner.”
“Oh, that’s it, is it?” said Mr Anderson. “Now then, my lad; if we land you will show us the way to your master’s place?”
“Yes, sah. Massa Huggum’s ’long with massa now.”
“Who is Master Huggums?” said the lieutenant.
“Massa, sah. Make um niggah work, sah;” and as he spoke the black showed his teeth, raised his hoe, and brought the handle sharply against the trunk of some kind of palm-tree. “That’s de way make um work. Lazy rascal go to sleep. Massa Huggum wake um up.”
“Oh, that’s it, is it? Does he wake you up like that?”
The black burst into a hoarse laugh.