“Dat’s berry sad, massa, berry sad,” returned Ebony, with a deep sigh, “but you no object sit on de straw for a bit an’ let me rest. Dere now. You’s growin’ heavier every day, massa. I stick de torch here for light. Look, here you see I hab a few t’ings. Dis is one bit ob rope wid a loop on him.”
“And what may that be for?” asked Rosco, with some curiosity.
“For tie up our enemies when we’s catch dem. Dis way, you understan’.”
As he spoke, Ebony passed the loop over Rosco’s shoulders and drew it tight so as to render his arms powerless, and before the latter realised what he was about his legs were also securely bound.
“Surely you do not mean to keep me here by force!” cried Rosco angrily.
“I’s much afraid, massa, dat’s zactly what I mean!”
“Come, come, Ebony, you have carried this jest far enough. Unbind me!”
“Berry sorry to disoblige you, massa, but dat’s impossible just now.”
“I command you, sir, to undo this rope!” cried Rosco fiercely.
“Dere’s a good deal ob de ole ring about dat, sar, but you’s not a pirit cappen now, an’ I ain’t one ob de pirit crew.”