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"Das a most 'straor'nary sight," he said, looking round with glistening eyes and expanded lips at the crowds of people who pressed along the road leading to Zoma, the great market-place. "By the way they stare at you, Ebony," said Hockins, "they evidently think you something 'straor'nary!" "Not at all, 'Ockins. You's wrong, as usual," retorted the negro.
"Yes, yes I understand," said Mark, "I shall set them free at the same time. Why not? The risk will not be increased." "A reg'lar jail-delivery!" murmured Hockins, as he drew in a long breath. "Hush! they come!" cried Mark, crouching so as the more effectually to conceal himself, in which act he was quickly imitated by the others.
A gleam of intelligence shot into his swarthy visage, and his chest began to heave with strong emotion as he glared rather than gazed at the speaker. Not less surprised were Hockins and Ebony when Mark explained, for although they had indeed heard about the law in question they had forgotten it. After recovering the first shock, Mamba turned quickly and pointed to his three comrades in suffering.
As they advanced they encountered Ebony with an unused Roman candle in each hand, and an expression of horror on his black face. "Oh! massa " he began. "Hush! never mind! Follow me!" said Mark, in a peremptory whisper. Another moment and the sweet tones of the flageolet silenced the noise of the excited throng, as Hockins stood before the Queen and played one of the sweetest of Scottish songs.
Among them was a group in which the reader is perhaps interested. It consisted of Mark Breezy, John Hockins, Ebony Ginger, Samuel Ravoninohitriniony, Laihova, and Voalavo.
With a bursting cry of rage, Hockins, forgetting his situation, sprang towards the torturers, was checked by his fetters, and fell with a heavy clang and clatter on the floor. Even the cruel guards started aside in momentary alarm, and then with a contemptuous laugh passed out.
Both Hockins and Ebony were for a moment paralysed by surprise; then, their impulsive souls being stirred by a sudden gush of indignation, they gathered themselves up for a mighty burst which would certainly have resulted in disaster of some sort if Mark had not recovered presence of mind in time. "Submit! submit!" he shouted in a loud voice of authority.
He will rather die than deny Christ." "He is likely to die then," returned Rakota, "for my mother is fixed to root up the religion of Jesus from the land." "But surely you don't agree with her," broke in Hockins at this point. "No, I not agree," said the Prince. "But I can not command the Queen. Some time it very hard to move her even a leetle. My only power with her is love."
Hockins said nothing, being sound asleep. "What makes that rattling among the cooking-pots?" asked Mark, looking round lazily. "Rats," replied the guide. "Didn't you see them running along the roof when you came in?" "No, I didn't." "Look up now, then, and you'll see them on the beams."
Now, it strikes me that where there's a government, a queen, and Christian missionaries, there must be more or less of civilisation and safety, so I would advise that we make straight for the capital." "Right you are, sir," said Hockins.
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