The two guards, with the muskets in their grasp, kept a sharp eye on the slaves; while Golah became engaged in a close consultation with Fatima.
“What shall we do?” asked Terence; “the old villain means mischief, and how can we prevent it? We must not let him kill poor Colly.”
“We must do something immediately,” said Harry. “We have neglected it too long, and shall now have to act under the disadvantage of their being prepared for an attack. Bill, what should we do?”
“I was just thinkin’,” said Bill, “that if we all made a rush at ’em, at the words one—two—three! not more’n two or three of us might be killed before we grappled with ’em. Now, this might do, if these black fellows would only jine us.”
The Krooman here expressed himself as one willing to take his chance in any action they should propose; and believed that his countrymen would do the same. He feared, however, that the other blacks could not be trusted, and that any proposal he might make to them would be in a language the two guards would understand.
“Well, then,” said Harry, “there will be six of us against three. Shall I give the word?”
“All right!” said Terence, drawing his feet under his body, by way of preparation for rising suddenly.
The scheme was a desperate one, but all seemed willing to undertake it.
Since leaving the well, they had felt convinced that life and liberty depended on their making a struggle; though circumstances seemed to have forced that struggle upon them when there was the least hope of success.
“Now all make ready,” muttered Harry, speaking in a calm voice, so as not to excite the attention of the guards. “One!”