As Larry spoke, the tall savage drew the knife referred to from his girdle, and, glancing over his shoulder, said in English—
“Keep quiet, lads. I’ll do my best to save ’ee; but if you offer to fight, you’re dead men all in five minutes.”
Amazement, if no other feeling had operated, would have rendered the prisoners perfectly quiet after that. They waited in deep anxiety and wonder, while the tall savage continued his harangue, at the conclusion of which his hearers uttered an expressive grunt or growl, as if of assent, and then they all filed out of the hut, leaving the prisoners alone with their deliverer.
Chapter Ten.
Our Hero and his Comrades in Distress Become Savage Warriors for the Nonce.
“Friend,” said Captain Dall, taking the hand of the tall savage in his and speaking with some emotion, “you have been sent as our deliverer, I know, but how a South Sea islander should happen to befriend us, and how you should come to speak English as well as ye do, is more than I can understand.”
“Onderstand!” exclaimed Larry; “it’s past belaif. It baits cock-fightin’ intirely.”
A grim smile crossed the painted face of the savage, as he said somewhat hurriedly:—