CHAPTER XXV.
The Second Mate's Story.
The face at the window was that of Jacob Duff, the second mate. He shook his head in a melancholy way and beckoned with his hand.
"Come a little closer. The blacks are drunk and have exhausted their ammunition. The magazine is in the lower hold, double locked and they haven't found it yet."
Ralph slowly pulled under the stern where he would be protected from missiles. Over his head was a screaming crowd of savages who, however, confined themselves to unintelligible threats.
The other boat was gone. Duff, leaning out, motioned with his hand.
"There is no time for explanations now," said he. "Let us get away from here while those demons are too drunk to know how to hinder us. Heavens, but what a time we've had!"
While speaking he handed out a pair of oars, a bag of ship's biscuit, and a breaker of water.
Meantime the negroes evidently discovered that the boy was communicating with some one on board. The cries and uproar redoubled. The noise of a crowd surging down the companionway and into the main cabin could be heard. Then came a tremendous crash against the door of the stateroom.