“No all righ,” cried the big black, fiercely, as he pointed to the vessel’s side and listened to the peculiar dull humming sound which came from the hold.
“Yes—I—tell—you—it—is—all—right,” said Mark, quietly. “You hardly understand me, but you may believe.”
The big black turned to his fellow, and said something, and then without a word they came on board, with their nostrils working, and the big black’s eyes flashed as he pointed to the way down into the vessel’s hold, as much as to say, “There, you are deceiving me.”
“Yes, I know,” said Mark, quietly; and the man looked more at ease, but still terribly suspicious.
“There,” cried Bob; “now you see what a pair of black fools you were.”
“That will do, Mr Howlett,” said the lieutenant sternly; “let Mr Vandean manage them. He can do it better than you.”
“Well, I am blest!” muttered Bob, turning scarlet.
“That was a capital thought of yours, Mr Vandean. You brought these men to interpret.”
“Well, I am blest, and no mistake,” muttered Bob, “and him going to take all the kudos. It’s too—”
He had no time to say bad, for Mark spoke out,—