"Now, out with it," said Lysander. "All about the cave. And don't ye lie, for you'll have to go and show it to us when we're ready."'
"I can't tell!" said Toby. "Dar ain't no cave! none't I knows about—dat's shore!" This was of course a downright lie; but it was told to save from ruin those he loved; and I do not think it stands charged against his soul on the books of the recording angel.
"Ten more, boys," said Lysander.
"O, wait, wait, sar!" shrieked Toby. "Des guv me time to tink!"
He thought of ten lashes; ten more afterwards; and still another ten; for he knew that the whipping would not cease until either he betrayed the fugitives or died; and every lash was to him an agony.
"Think quick," said Captain Sprowl.
Just then the door, of the kitchen opened. Toby grasped wildly at that straw of hope. It broke instantly. The comer was Salina. She had had the power to betray him, but not the power to save. She stood with folded arms, and smiled.
"I can't help you, Toby, but I can be revenged."
"Hello!" cried Lysander, with a start. "What smoke is that?"
She had left the door open, and a draught of air wafted a strange smell of burning cloth and pine wood to his nostrils.