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"It is not for you alone that we are going to act," interposed Harry. "It is as much for ourselves." "Then act when there is a chance of succeeding," pursued Colin. "You cannot save me, and will only lose your own lives." "De big black sheik am going to kill someb'dy, dat berry sure," said the Krooman, as he sat with his eyes fixed upon Golah.
Sentence was this day awarded to all the prisoners that had been tried, as follows: John Rhode, a native of the Rio Pongas, for petty larceny. Grando, a Krooman, for assault. Yellow Will, a Krooman, for receiving stolen goods. Peter, a Krooman, for stealing from a dwelling-house. John Testing, a discharged soldier, for ditto. Jim Johnson, a liberated African, for grand larceny.
"Come back one, two, three. Two die. Sikaso know. Br-r-r-r-r, he gives me the creeps." They all laughed at Billy's absurd aping of the stately negro, but nevertheless none of them felt inclined for more talk that night. Somehow, the Krooman had cast a gloom on the party. Had they known how nearly his prophecy was to come to fulfillment they might even have been tempted to abandon the expedition.
The Krooman obeyed; and the Moor, in reply, said that he was well aware that he would be paid something by the consul, but that he required a written promise from the slaves themselves as to the amount. He wanted them to sign an agreement that he should receive two hundred dollars for each of them.
Having performed the pilgrimage to the Prophet's Tomb, he was entitled to the respect and hospitality of all good Mussulmans, whithersoever he might wander. With the Krooman as interpreter, he asked many questions; and seemed to be much interested in the fate of the miserable looking objects before him.
The man refused, evidently fearing the anger of Golah should he be detected. The second Krooman, who was unbound, now offered to loose the hands of his countryman; but the latter seemed satisfied with his want of freedom, and refused the proffered aid. He also feared death at the hands of Golah.
"Tell the young man," said one of the merchants, addressing himself to the interpreter, "tell him from me, that if the ransom be not paid, he shall surely die on Bo Muzem's return. Tell him that." The Krooman made the communication, and Harry without demur accepted the conditions. A piece of dirty crumpled paper, a reed pen, and some ink, were then placed before Harry.
"Yus, sa a lilly bit," answered the Krooman, without seeming to notice the unpleasant manner in which the question had been put. "And what are you listening for?" "To hear what you tell um. I like go in Ingleesh ship. You talk good for me. I go 'long with you." With some difficulty the sailor and his companions could comprehend the Krooman's gibberish.
"All right, American massa," hailed back the Krooman, "I sail long time 'Merican ships. I catch him for you." "Well, what do you think of that?" demanded Billy. "If the Statue of Liberty had come off her perch and done a song and dance you couldn't have astonished me more than to hear that sack of coal talk English."
On the evening of the 14th March, the Krooman fell into the sea. This poor fellow, whose name was Yellow Will, called loudly to them for help, and although the vessel was not sailing at a great rate, he missed every thing that was thrown overboard to save him. To have altered the ship's course would have endangered the masts and sails, and their small boat was so leaky that it would not swim.
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