“Look here, Caesar,” he said quickly, “do you know where Mr Allen is?”
The black looked him sharply in the eyes, then gazed at the first lieutenant, and then all around as if on the lookout for danger, before he crept closer and whispered—
“Yes, massa. Caesar know.”
“Hah! This sounds business-like,” cried the lieutenant. “But why in the name of all that’s sensible didn’t you examine this fellow before, Murray?”
“I did, sir,” cried the lad, trembling with excitement, as he laid his hand upon the black’s arm. Then quickly, “Tell me where he is, my lad.”
“Massa, Bri’sh sailor no tell Massa Huggin Caesar open him moufe?”
“No, my lad. No one shall know that you told me. Speak out.”
“Massa Huggin cut Caesar all lilly pieces when he find out.”
“We will take care no one shall hurt you,” cried Murray excitedly. “Tell him, Mr Anderson, that we will set him free.”
“To be sure,” cried the lieutenant. “You shall be free.”