“But something might be done—water—carried into the shade.”
“We did all that, sir,” said the sailor gruffly.
“Who did?” asked Murray excitedly.
“Well, I helped, sir, and the poor black lass looked at me as if she thought I was one of ’em going to take her aboard a slaver.”
“But didn’t you tell her—Oh, you are right, Dick; I am a fool! She couldn’t have understood unless it was by our acts.”
“Oh, don’t you worry about that, Mr Murray, sir,” said the man eagerly. “The poor thing took quite a turn like when I knelt down and held my waterbottle to her lips.”
Murray stood looking at the man, with his brow furrowed, and then he nodded.
“Now then,” he said, “where was this?”
“T’other side of this barrack place, sir,” said the man; “just over yonder.”
“Show me,” said Murray abruptly.