It was evidently quite time enough, for from somewhere near at hand the voices of some of the overseer’s crew of followers could be heard, as if making for the middle of the clearing where the big black had set up his hut, a spot which was evidently known to Huggins’s people, by the way in which they had come in search of food.
So close were the men that the midshipman seized the big black by the arm and stopped his progress.
“What massa do?” whispered the black.
“Take care! They will hear you,” replied Murray.
“Yes, hear massa if massa talk,” whispered the man warningly. “Massa come along.”
“But do you know the way to Mr Allen’s cottage?”
“Iss—yes, Caesar know the way. Come along,” whispered the man, and seizing the lad by the arm, he thrust him before his companion, who the next minute was making his way through the woodland, with the enemy so close behind that it was plainly evident that they were ignorant of the proximity of the fugitives, who pressed on steadily, with the huge black bearing his burden as lightly as if he were in no way troubled by the weight.
A very real danger, however, now began to show itself, for, becoming uneasy at being swayed about by Catullus, Roberts began to mutter impatiently, though in an incoherent way, with the result that the great black suddenly stopped short and, bending towards Caesar, uttered a few words in a tone full of protest.
“What does he say, Caesar?” whispered Murray.
“Say massa young sailor no talk so much. Bring Massa Huggin men come see what’s all a bobbery and kill um all.”