Then it was that I thought of Benson's prayers and entreaties until my heart grew soft, and I asked Master Hackett if he believed the captain would do anything toward saving his worthless life.
"I allow he will, lad, though it seems like a waste of good breath to spend it talkin' about him. Even though we are at war with the Britishers, we can't let one of 'em be roasted an' ate up like a pig; but I'll guarantee the captain will keep the brute carefully caged till we can put him into a stronger prison than is to be found in Chili."
"And you believe we should say anything about it to Captain Porter, after Benson did his best to have us roasted and eaten?" Phil asked sharply.
"I do for a fact, lad. Just at present you're hot against him; but in a month from now you'd be eatin' your heart out if you'd held your tongue when he might 'er been saved."
We ceased talking of Benson after this, and Master Hackett regaled us with stories of the battle which he had got from those of our people who took part in it, until we were on board the ship in Captain Porter's cabin.
"Tell me all you have done and seen this day," the captain said when Master Hackett, with many a flourish and tug at his hair, reported having found us and our guides.
We obeyed the command, he interrupting us with questions from time to time, and then Mr. Maury was summoned that he might act as interpreter for the Typees.
This ended the interview so far as we were concerned, for Master Hackett dragged us backward out of the cabin, leaving the two savages looking around very suspiciously.
We had repeated Benson's request, and stated as our belief that he would speedily be killed and eaten unless a demand was made that he be brought on board the ship; but to all this the captain gave no reply, and we left the cabin uncertain as to whether the Britisher would be rescued, or left to take the punishment he had brought upon himself through trying to do the Yankees a mischief.