"All right."
"Palmer, load those pistols and muskets with ball, for if we lose the bark, there will be some dead men on board," I continued.
With my revolver in my hand, I took position where I could see all the prisoners.
CHAPTER XXI.
IN WHICH PHIL BECOMES SECOND MATE OF THE MICHIGAN.
I was alone with the prisoners,—nine in number,—all but one of whom lay in the berths of the steerage, bound hand and foot. Waterford, the most active and dangerous of the party, was tied to a stanchion. I had not caused him to be placed in this uncomfortable situation because he had done the same thing to me, but because I dared not permit him to be where the sentinel could not see all the time what he was doing. If one of these slave traders should get loose, he could free the others, and we should be obliged to fight the battle over again.
Occasionally I walked around the steerage to see that all was safe, and to satisfy myself that the mate had not loosened his bonds. He and the two Spanish passengers were inclined to argue the matter with me; but I thought, as I had the best of the case, I would not meddle with the subject. I did not wonder that the passengers were uneasy. As they were bound to the Slave Coast to buy negroes, it followed that they were well supplied with money, which I concluded was in their state-room. The venture must have looked like a poor speculation to them, while they were prisoners in the steerage, with the bark headed to the north.
At twelve o'clock the new captain came below to see me in regard to the watches. We arranged that Sanderson should take charge of the mid-watch, and that Baxter should stand guard over the prisoners. This plan was carried into effect immediately. The port watch turned in, and the starboard took the deck. Captain York and myself slept in the cabin, he taking the captain's state-room, and I that of the two passengers. I slept pretty well, notwithstanding the excitement of the night. At eight bells in the morning we were called to relieve the watch on deck. Walker, properly armed, took his place in the steerage, with orders to examine all the prisoners at least every half hour.
I went on deck with York. Although he had been promoted to the highest position on board, he did not "put on any airs." I was a boy, but he called me to the quarter-deck for a consultation in regard to the course to be pursued.