When he had got at a considerable distance from land he stopped.
The sun was then sinking, shedding soft and sweet brilliancy over the evening hour. “Yes, me ’member,” said Jack Jimmy, “wen we lef de ’chooner, you bin behind a wee”; and after having thus spoken to that luminary, and probably made his calculations, in his own original way, he steered the canoe towards the east, and continued the powerful use of his paddle until he arrived at the spot where the reader has discovered him.
Jack Jimmy held his lonely course on the great ocean until next morning; when he discovered the pirate vessel at a distance. He redoubled his strokes, and made for her. In a short time he had gained her sides.
Arriving alongside, he nimbly jumped on board, and threw himself flat on the deck, with his face downwards, and at the foot of Lorenzo, who was standing with a spy-glass in his hand at the gangway.
The officer had perceived the small canoe, and on using his glass, he had discovered that the lonely individual in it was Jack Jimmy. His mind at once misgave him. The captain is taken was his first thought.
It was with impatient anxiety, therefore, that he inquired of Jack Jimmy, when he got on deck, what had become of his master.
The little negro shook his head convulsively at the question, and interjected, “Massa!” but seemed incapable of saying anything else. Lorenzo waited a few moments, but Jack Jimmy could say nothing more.
“Speak, fellow,” cried he with vehemence, “where is the captain? Is—is—is he taken?”
“Ah! Garamighty,” answered Jack Jimmy.
“Will you speak, sir,” cried Lorenzo with fury. “Is your master taken?”