It was reasonable to suppose that Benson was well acquainted with the paths from one mountain to the other, and could readily keep out of the way of the Happar army, whether it should be successful or beaten. There appeared to be no ray of hope for us; but I did my poor best to prevent the murderous Britisher from understanding what was in my heart.
Phil showed himself braver than was I, for instead of being forced to spend his time trying to keep himself from showing cowardice, he could afford to indulge in anger, and he cried, bold as if we were the masters instead of Benson:—
"It's a bad practice to crow very loudly before you've worked your will. We have more friends on this island than you may claim; and if it so chances that you can turn us over to the cannibals, they will make you suffer."
"If the situation was different, my bantam, I'd admit that what you say might turn out true; but your people haven't any idea that Oliver Benson is anywhere except in the jail at Valparaiso, and will set it all down to the account of the Typees. I shouldn't cry very much if a few hundred of them were killed to pay for having eaten you."
After that we fell silent for a time, Benson eying us greedily, as if he had it in mind to learn what human flesh tasted like, and Phil and I trying in vain to devise some relief from our troubles.
There was no way out, as I speedily came to believe. This vindictive fellow could easily keep us hidden from the returning Happars, and that the Typees would welcome more captives we knew full well.
When perhaps fifteen minutes had passed and Benson gave no sign of leaving this hiding-place in the stiff weeds, Phil asked curtly:—
"How much longer do you count on staying here? There'll be no chance of seeing us roasted, unless you try a hand at the cooking, while we are hidden in this place."
"You shall have a chance to travel in due time, so don't grow impatient. I reckon on staying here until the battle is over, and then there won't be any risk, so far as I am concerned, in going across the valley."