“Come and see in the dark?” said the lieutenant, who appeared to be in the best of humours. “Well, what have you to show us?”
The three officers rose from the table and followed their guide out on the platform, where he pointed to a ruddy glow which rose from beyond the trees.
“Fire!” said Murray excitedly. “Can that be where the plantation house lies, sir?”
“No, Mr Murray, I think not. But if it is I should not be surprised if, taking advantage of their master’s absence, the blacks have fired his house to burn it down. Here, Caesar, are they burning the place?”
“No, massa,” replied the black. “Massa bring all sailor. Come see.”
The lieutenant nodded, and said in a low tone to Murray—
“Look here, my lad, I believe this fellow is to be trusted, but one’s caution and discipline will whisper that we ought to be careful, and it will not do for us to come back and find that our boats are burned.”
“No, sir,” replied the lad quickly. “Whom will you leave in charge of them?”
“I should like to leave May, but I want him with us. What do you say, Mr Roberts? It is an important charge.”
“Yes, sir,” faltered the midshipman, “but—”