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The pirates on Francisco's side looked round among their party, and, perceiving that they were the most numerous, consented to the proposal; but Hawkhurst stepped forward and observed: "Of course the Kroumen can have no votes, as they do not belong to the vessel."
Then, recollecting himself, he cried, "Seize that boy and bring him here." One or two of the crew advanced to obey his orders; but Pompey and the Kroumen, who had been attentive to what was going on, had collected round Francisco, and a scuffle ensued.
"A little promotion will do no harm," replied Cain; "take a dozen of our best men and search the ship, there are others alive yet. By-the-by, send a watch on board of the schooner; she is left to the mercy of the Kroumen, and " "One who is better out of her," replied Hawkhurst. "And those we find below " continued the mate. "Alive!"
The sun again disappeared, but Francisco returned not to the cabin he went below, surrounded by the Kroumen, who appeared to have devoted themselves to his protection. Once during the night Hawkhurst summoned them on deck, but they obeyed not the order; and to the expostulation of the boatswain's mate, who came down, they made no reply.
The officer in charge of the deck hastened down. 'Did you call, sir? 'Call! repeated the captain. 'I thought there was some one in the cabin. I want a light that's all, continued he, recovering himself, as he wiped the cold perspiration from his forehead. In the meantime Francisco, with Pompey, had gained his former place of refuge with the Kroumen.
Francisco rose, and, taking up a flagon from the buffet, which contained some spirits, walked to the door, and, without saying a word, handed it to the Krouman. 'Massa Francisco, whispered Pompey, 'Pompey say all Kroumen say suppose they run away, you go too? Pompey say all Kroumen say suppose they try to kill you? Nebber kill you while one Krouman alive.
But in this cave there was one of the Avenger's boats, two of the pirates mortally wounded, and the four Kroumen, who had concealed themselves there with the intention of taking no part in the conflict, and, as soon as it became dark, of making their escape in the boat, which they had hauled up dry into the cave. Cain staggered in, recovered the dry land; and fell.
Cain had now to a certain degree recovered, and knowing that they were in the channel of the small traders, he pointed put to the Kroumen that, if supposed to be pirates, they would inevitably be punished, although not guilty, and that they must pass off as the crew of a small coasting-vessel which had been wrecked.
"Who's there? who's there?" cried Cain. The officer in charge of the deck hastened down. "Did you call, sir?" "Call!" repeated the captain. "I thought there was some one in the cabin. I want a light that's all," continued he, recovering himself, as he wiped the cold perspiration from his forehead. In the meantime Francisco, with Pompey, had gained his former place of refuge with the Kroumen.
These were Kroumen, a race of blacks well known at present, who inhabit the coast near Cape Palmas, and are often employed by our men-of-war stationed on the coast to relieve the English seamen from duties which would be too severe to those who were not inured to the climate. They are powerful, athletic men, good sailors, of a happy, merry disposition, and, unlike other Africans, will work hard.
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