“No, sir, but I can feel,” growled the man; “but won’t the ’splosion bust it open?”
“Very likely, Tom.”
“Ay, ay, sir; but right it is, sir.”
“Now then, Caesar,” whispered Murray, thrusting one hand behind the door to seize the candle and place it ready in shelter.
“Not yet, massa,” said the black, who stood out a couple of yards from the door. “Dey come ’long close, but all ’top now.”
“Ah, they have found the powder keg,” ejaculated Murray.
“No, sah. Dey all close ’longside and wait for more Massa Huggin man.”
“Then I will not fire yet.”
“No, sah. Caesar fink dey watch see Murray Frank, want know what um do. All talkee palaver. No fire yet.”
“I must fire soon,” whispered the lad, in a strangely excited tone of voice, which sounded as if he were being suffocated.