It was twilight when they made a landing within a sheltered bay upon that side of the swamp nearest the settlement.
Beyond this lay the woods of which the negro had spoken.
Compelling the black to precede him, Nelatu urged him forward until they had reached a mound covered with bushes.
“Hush! Massa Injun, we are near de place.”
“I see no signs of habitation!”
“We is near it, for all dat. It ain’t a easy ting to find a place like dis ’ere whare dere are nuffin to show but de ground and dese ere bushes!”
“Quick! lead me to the place!”
“By-am-by, massa; for a mercy’s sake hab jist a little patience. ’Twont do no good to be in a hurry, ’twont, indeed.”
Suspecting treachery, Nelatu would hear of no delay.
“Remember, slave! what I threatened you with. Conduct me at once to their hiding-place!”