“Do I understand you to say that in this island there is a kind of centre of the slave-trade?”
“In this island and those near at hand, sir,” said the planter. “In addition there are depots on the mainland which the slavers visit at regular intervals, and from which the plantations are supplied.”
“And you are ready to give information such as will enable me to root out a great deal of this and to capture the vessels which carry on the vile trade?”
“I can and will do all this, sir,” replied the planter feebly. “I thought I had explained as much.”
“Yes, yes,” cried the captain impatiently, “but I want to know more about the bargain you wish to make.”
“What can I say more, sir?” replied the planter. “Your protection, so that I may die in peace, trying to make some amends for the past.”
“H’m!” ejaculated the captain thoughtfully.
The planter smiled.
“You are thinking, sir,” he said, “that you cannot trust me, and that you will be able to root out this accursed trade without my help.”
“Perhaps so,” said the captain drily.