“No speak, massa.”
“Why?”
“Huggins man over dah. See sailor officer—see slabe boy—see Caesar—shoot, kill.”
The man pointed over where Roberts lay half hidden by the undergrowth, while beyond him the big black was seated munching away at some half-ripe bananas, and ready to meet his eyes with a pleasant smile.
“It’s morning, then!” whispered Murray, in surprise.
“Yes: to-morrow morning, sah,” said the man, smiling; and it appeared to Murray that he had made a very absurd remark, for it must have been daylight for many hours, the sun being high.
“Whereabout do you think Mr Allen’s cottage is?” he whispered now, as his head seemed to clear.
“Over dah,” was the confident declaration. “Huggins man all round about come to fight.”
“Fight? Who with?”
“Massa officer sailor men.”