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"Cyd!" said Master Archy, when the boat came up to the steps, and the rowers had tossed their oars. "Sar!" replied Cyd, exploding the word as though he had been a member of Monsieur Crapeau's class in French elementary sounds, and with a start which seemed to shake every fibre in his wiry frame. "Do you know where my boxing gloves are?"
"Sar," replied the fugitive, with a self-possession which thoroughly shamed the quaking Cyd. "Take hold of the painter of the bateau, and haul it alongside." "Yes, sar." "Cyd, take hold and help him. Haul it up to the foremast, and take it on deck." The order was obeyed, though Cyd, in his terror, was not able to render much assistance.
"Gossifus!" shouted Cyd, as he rushed out of the cabin, and discovered the bark. "Wha wha what vessel's dat?" "I don't know," answered Dan; "but we shall soon know all about her." "What a monster she is!" added Lily. Dan hailed the bark, and ascertained that she was an English vessel, bound from Vera Cruz to New York.
Taking from one of the lockers, in the standing room, an awning which was used to spread over the forward deck, he unrolled it, and proceeded to make his calculations, while Cyd stood by, scratching his head and wondering what was going to be done. The cabin of the Isabel was entered by two doors, one on each side of the centre-board, which divided the after cabin into two apartments.
Here we are," said Dan, suddenly rising in the boat, as she came to a narrow opening on the southerly bank of the river. Running the boat up to the bank of the bayou, he ordered Cyd to make her fast to a tree on the shore. "What's gwine to be done now, Dan?" asked Cyd, when he had obeyed the order. "We shall follow the big river no farther.
Hossifus! Gossifus! De breeze am coming!" shouted Cyd, as he danced round the deck like a madman. "Needn't pray no more, Missy Lily. De breeze am come." "Then I will thank God for sending it," replied the poor girl, a smile of joy playing radiantly upon her fair face.
Dis chile ain't no coward, no how," growled Cyd, as he cast his eyes at the sails. "Fire away dar, and show dese folks Cyd's no coward!" "Gwine to fire into dem folks in de boat?" asked Quin. "I am, if occasion requires," replied Dan, as he discharged the gun he held in his hand in the direction of the pursuers. "But I want to let them know that we are armed, and able to give as good as they send.
It was a pæan of thanksgiving for his escape from the fangs of the slave-hunters. It was homely speech, but it was earnest and sincere, and those who listened were deeply impressed by its fervid simplicity. Dan and Lily sat alone in the stern of the boat, for Cyd had been permitted to turn in with the runaway.
"We are safe!" exclaimed Dan, as Lily rushed from her cabin, startled by the exciting events which had just transpired. "Haul down the foresail, Cyd!" shouted Dan, as the Isabel gathered way, and forged ahead. "Be quick, but be careful of yourself." With the assistance of Quin, Cyd got the foresail in, though it was not without a deal of hard tugging, for the wind now blew a fierce gale.
Cyd was ordered to the forecastle to keep a sharp lookout ahead, while Quin was directed to bale out the boat, for at least a hogshead of water had poured in over the side when the flaw struck her. The wind came in heavy gusts, each one of which threatened to "knock down" the Isabel; and if her skipper had not been a thorough boatman, such must have been her fate.
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