For a quiet, subdued-looking individual in white cotton garments had stepped out of a wide window with green painted open jalousies, to take off his Panama straw hat and stand screening his eyes with his hand.
The next minute the officer had halted his men in front of the place, and May touched his hat.
“Let the prisoner go, sir?”
“Yes: we can find our way back;” and as the sailor slackened his grasp and gave his head a jerk in the direction of the well-tilled fields, the black made a bound and dashed off, turning sharply before reaching the edge of the trees which backed up the house and seemed to shelter a range of buildings, to raise his hoe and shake it threateningly at the sailor.
“That man ought not to behave in this way,” said the gentleman who had stepped out. “Has he been insolent to you, sir?”
“More unpleasant than insolent,” replied the lieutenant. “I have required him for a guide to find your house, sir.”
“Ah!” said the former speaker slowly, as he looked slowly round. “You are an officer from one of the King’s ships?”
“Yes, sir; exactly so,” replied the gentleman addressed.
“And I presume that your ship is off the island. Can I be of any service to you?”
“Well, yes,” said Mr Anderson, “by giving me the information I am seeking.”