"You treat too lightly these ceremonies, mate! There may be deeper meaning in them than you dream of."
"If the infernal pit is at the bottom of them, they are deep enough! This negro wizard looks ugly enough to be the devil's grandfather."
"No more, Loff. Is all prepared?"
"All."
"Then give orders to the men."
"Ay, ay, sir. All hands to bury money!"
The pirates gathered round the grave, part of their number thrown into the shadow cast by the tower of the church, the remainder exposed to the full light of the moon. And moon scarcely ever shown on stranger or wilder scene. The negro was seated sullenly, with his head on his knees, upon the pile of grave-dirt, nor had he spoken until Kyd now approached and addressed him.
"If, as thou dost profess, dark slave, power to thee is delegated, by her whom thou hast served, to deal with beings of another world, by this amulet I wear I command thy service and obedience!"
As he spoke he held the amulet up to his view.
The wizard crossed his hands on his breast, and bowed himself to the ground.