His guest requiring all his attention, caused him to withdraw suddenly from the dialogue; and he appeared neither to have heard the exclamatory repetition of Smythje’s name, nor the words uttered by Kate in a lower tone, as she turned towards the table:—
“I thought it was Herbert!”
Volume One—Chapter Thirty Four.
A Sweetheart Expected.
The departure of the young Englishman, under the conduct of Quaco, was a signal for the black band to disperse.
At a word from their chief, they broke up into knots of two or three individuals each; and went off in different directions—disappearing amid the underwood as silently as they had emerged from it.
Cubina alone remained in the glade, the captured runaway cowering upon a log beside him.
For some minutes, the Maroon captain stood resting upon his gun—which one of his followers had brought up—his eyes fixed upon the captive. He appeared to be meditating what course he should pursue in relation to the unfortunate slave; and the shadow upon his countenance told that some thought was troubling him.