“Oh yes, massa,” said Jumbo, with a broad grin. “Bery glad serve Captain Benbow; hope to sail wid you while you keep de sea.”
“Not much chance of my keeping anywhere else,” said the Captain.
So the matter was settled, and Jumbo, to his great delight, found himself one of the crew of the Benbow frigate. In about three days land was sighted, and that evening the ship entered the magnificent bay of Cadiz.
Next morning after breakfast the Captain ordered his boat to go on shore, and invited Roger and Stephen to accompany him.
“Jumbo, you will go with us,” he said. “You will have to carry a sack on your shoulders, but you need not ask what is in it.”
“Neber mind, Captain, me ready to do whateber you tell me,” answered Jumbo.
Roger and Stephen had taken their seats in the boat with the Captain, when Jumbo appeared with a big canvas sack, which was handed down after him. The men who were looking over the side grinned as they watched it placed in the bows of the boat.
“Give way, my lads,” cried the Captain, and they pulled for the shore.
They soon reached the quay, when, the Captain and his young friends stepping out, he ordered Jumbo to take up the sack and follow him. They had not gone far when they met two officers of the revenue, who stopped and inquired what was contained in the sack the negro carried.
“Salt provisions for my own use,” answered Captain Benbow. “You know me. I am a frequent trader to this port, and I have never attempted to smuggle.”