At that moment the door opened, and the negro who had before appeared entered.
Stump instantly threw himself upon him, and, seizing his throat with his two hands, held him so tightly as almost to strangle him.
But being a powerful man, he soon disengaged himself, and a fearful struggle ensued between them.
"Help, help!" cried the negro, in excellent English.
Stump let go his hold at this, and fell back laughing.
"So you can talk English!" he cried; "that's all right. I only flew at you to see what countryman you were. Now, then, tell us all about this ship, or I'll give you another dose."
Putting his finger to his lips, the negro gave a peculiar whistle—prolonged and shrill.
This was evidently a signal, for he had scarcely finished when the Unknown appeared on the threshold.
He was followed by six powerful negroes, all armed to the teeth.
It looked as if Mont and his friends were to be executed on the spot.