On the present occasion Yoosoof conceived that the captain of the ‘Firefly’ might be obliged to take this course to get rid of the negroes already on board, who were of course consuming his provisions, besides being an extremely disagreeable cargo, many of them being diseased and covered with sores, owing to their cruel treatment on board the slave-dhows.
“He won’t go, however, till he has hunted the coast north and south for you, so he assures me,” said the Governor, with a laugh.
“Well, I must start to-night, therefore I shall give him a small pill to swallow which will take him out of the way,” said Yoosoof, rising to leave the room.
“I wish you both success,” said the Governor, as Marizano also rose to depart, “but I fear that you will find the Englishman very troublesome.—Adieu.”
The Arab and the half-caste went out talking earnestly together, and followed by Azinté, and immediately afterwards the Senhorina Maraquita entered hurriedly.
“Father, you must buy that slave-girl for me. I want a pretty slave all to myself,” she said, with unwonted vehemence.
“Impossible, my child,” replied the Governor kindly, for he was very fond as well as proud of his daughter.
“Why impossible? Have you not enough of money?”
“Oh yes, plenty of that, but I fear she is already bespoken, and I should not like to interfere—”
“Bespoken! do you mean sold?” cried Maraquita, seizing her father’s hands, “not sold to that man Marizano?”