"We have no time to spare," added Dan, briskly. "Bring up another fifty-six, Quin."
The weight was brought up and tied to the corpse of the slave-hunter, as it lay in the boat. Dan then ordered his companions to tip the boat over; but Quin, asking for a moment's delay, threw himself upon his knees, and commenced an earnest prayer in behalf of the deceased, supplicating forgiveness for his bloodthirsty enemy. Dan listened reverently to the prayer, while Lily sobbed as though the departed slave-hunter had been her dearest friend, instead of the bitter foe of her race.
The service was ended; the boat was careened till the body rolled out, and disappeared in the depths of the lake.
"May de good Lo'd hab mercy on his poor, sinful soul, for de lub of Jesus' sake!" exclaimed Quin, as the corpse sank to its resting-place.
"Make fast the boat to that cleat on the quarter, Cyd," said Dan, as he hauled aft the sheets, and put his helm down.
Cyd obeyed, and the Isabel filled away upon her course again. Lily was calmer now, but she was still much impressed by the solemn and awful scene of which she had just been a witness.
"It's all over now, Lily. Don't think any more about it," said Dan, in soothing tones.
"It is terrible—isn't it, Dan?" replied she, with a shudder.
"It is, Lily; but there was no help for it. All that we have done was in self-defence."
"But it is awful to think of killing them."