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Updated: May 8, 2025
"Even if it killed him," I interrupted. "Why, he's only a black fellow," said Cludde. "And black fellows are flesh and blood, like you and me." "But they haven't our feelings; come now, you won't say that?" I would not argue with: him, and he went on "I came to the house, and Lucy refused to see me.
We two separated from the rest of the party, so that the attack might be made on the whole line at the same moment. When we came opposite to the two riders, I gave a shrill whistle, and with Cludde at my side dashed from among the trees. So sudden and unexpected was the assault that the overseers had no time to defend themselves.
Running hastily forward, I saw Punchard and several of my men rushing at full speed across a tract of scrubby land in pursuit of Vetch. He had persuaded the buccaneer beside him, whose hands had not been bound, to cut his bonds. I joined in the chase; Cludde hung back; I think that after all he would not have been ill pleased, for old friendship's sake, if Vetch had got away.
I picked it up: it was a crown piece. For a moment I was tempted to pitch it into the brook; but on a sudden impulse I bestowed it in a little inner pocket apart from the rest of my money. "There it is, Dick Cludde," I muttered between my teeth, "and there it shall remain until the day when I return it you, with interest." After that I felt more composed, and walked on with a lightened heart.
All the negro workers on the estate seemed to have flocked together, many of them carrying flares which threw a lurid glow upon the scene. Before I reached the house I was met by Cludde and Punchard, who had laid the captured buccaneers in pound.
'Twas a round in all of some twenty-five miles, and, as Uncle Moses assured me, if we were reasonably cautious we should run no risks save at the crossing of the road. In great elation of spirit I now took into consultation Cludde with Uncle Moses, Noah, and Jacob, all of whom I felt I could trust, because all had suffered.
We did not care to leave the spot and return to the others, lest when I came again I should lose my way in the darkness and come to some mishap. So I sent Cludde back to Uncle Moses to bid him ride back to the house and bring up, afoot or on horseback, a great force of the negroes of the estate, with whatever arms they could find.
"You are exceeding your rights as representative of Sir Richard Cludde, and you may be sure you will be called to a heavy account if you deal wrongfully with the estate or its owner. Pull up before it is too late; there are sundry things against you in England that will not dispose the courts to show you mercy." "Hark to him!" cries Vetch with an evil sneer. "He turns preacher! You fool!
"I know you, Master Vetch, and 'tis my belief you and Master Cludde are just nought but a brace of bullies, and you ought to be ashamed of yourselves, Master Cludde in particular, seeing as the little lad be your own cousin." "You shut your mouth, Joe Punchard!" shouts Cludde in a passion. "He my cousin, indeed! the mean little charity brat!"
He left me then with the others, and soon afterwards I saw Cludde go over the side, taking farewell of the captain, and, to my surprise, of Vetch also. Still more astonished was I when, the order being given to throw off, the vessel dropped down with the tide, having Vetch still aboard.
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