“Bri’sh sailor officer set Caesar free,—Caesar open um moufe?”
“That’s right, then open it wide, my sable friend,” said the lieutenant. “Tell me.”
“No, massa. Caesar tell young buccra officer;” and he turned with sparkling eyes upon Murray.
“Speak, then,” cried Murray, trembling with excitement; and the black glanced round him again as if for danger, and then reached forward so as to place his lips close to the midshipman’s ear.
“Massa Huggin come while Massa Allen fas’ ’sleep and take um right away.”
“Hah!” cried Murray. “But how, my lad, how?”
The black looked from one officer to the other, a smile of cunning overspreading his features, and he whispered—
“Caesar show Bri’sh officer. Caesar know.”