“I wouldn’t go dere fur a millyon dollars, an’ dat’s eh fac’,” Andy said, with a long-drawn sigh. “Af it’s de ole debbils wha’ hab been lef behin’, de odders are skinnin’ roun’ fur ter get a crowd ober hyar to ketch us all.”
“Why would so much trouble be necessary, when they outnumber us at least three to one?” Nelse asked.
“Dat’s jes’ wha’ dey don’ know, honey. De fiery sarpints hab done made ’em t’ink we’se er hard gang, an’ dey’s gwine ter bring more ob dem ole fellers ter help erlong wid de hoodoo.”
Upon this point Andy appeared to be so positive that it would have been only a waste of time to argue the matter, and Gil urged him to follow up the tunnel in the hope of learning by the conversation who the men were in the subterranean chamber.
This was a most signal failure, however, for the old darky not only refused to take a single step in the desired direction, but would not so much as look into the opening.
“I’se done gone had enuf ob sich t’ings,” he said, solemnly, “an’ now I’m gwine ter keep my ole head outer trubble whar dar’s a chance. Dere’s a boat hyar what b’longs ter de captain, an’ de bes’ t’ing we kin do is ter git ’way frum dis yere islan’ afore de witches ’gin ter take a han’ in de muss.”
“We are willing to risk it a while longer, and your charm should be sufficient to make you stay while the rest of the party are here,” Nelse said, with a nervous laugh which had very little mirth in it.
“I’se got frou takin’ chances, no matter ef I had er hun’red charms,” the old darky replied, clutching yet tighter that which was suspended from his neck. “We wants ter mosey outer dis yere place, nebber min’ wha’ Job Jenkins says erbout it, kase I tells yer, chillun, it am mighty onhealthy when dem debbils begin for to git in dere work.”
Then Andy started to his feet as if on the point of swarming up the rope again, but before he could do so the mate appeared at the opening above, saying in a whisper, as he began to descend:
“Take care, below there, for the sun blinds my eyes so I can’t see where I’m going.”