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Updated: May 24, 2025
Then, very slowly and cautiously, Tom Fillot guided the little patch of light along the boards till it fell upon a big heap of rusty chain between them and the hatch, showing how long and patiently someone must have been at work, and also the terrible fact that before long every link would have been removed, and in all probability the crew would have been taken by surprise.
Them Yankees have shown us the way. All we've got to do is to follow their lead. Why not?" "'Cause they'll take jolly good care we don't, messmate," said Dick Bannock, wagging his head. "We've guv 'em a lesson in taking care of prisoners, and take my word on it, Tom Fillot, they've larnt it by heart." "Hark!" cried Tom Fillot; "they're a-lowering down the boat."
Draw, my lads, and cut them down if they resist. Fillot, have off that hatch." At a sign, the two blacks tore it open: and with the horrible vapour that arose came a wild, piteous clamour from the imprisoned slaves below. "Guess yew're right, curse you!" said the American, in an angry snarl. "Drop it, boys; they're too many for us this time. We're done, and it's of no use to be ugly."
"Vandean, my lad," whispered the lieutenant, "that idea of yours saved us," and he caught and pressed the lad's cold hand. Then aloud: "Now, my lads, get the oars in under the thwarts, so that they don't float out, and then you, Dance, and you, Tom Fillot, in over the side and begin baling."
"No, no, no," cried Mark, angrily. "Come on, my lads!" and he made a rush, which must have resulted in his being struck down, for he advanced quite alone, Tom Fillot, who would have followed, being beaten back along with the rest, till they stood against the bulwarks that is, those who could stand, three being down on their knees.
"Ay, ay," growled Tom Fillot, but the boat still swayed. "Do you hear there?" cried Mark, sharply. "Who's that?" "Hi! all on you!" came again. "Did you hear my order, Dance?" cried Mark. "Sit down, man. Do you want to capsize the boat?" "I want my hitcher," said the man, sharply. "Who's been a-meddling with my boathook? it ain't in its place." "Sit down, man.
Nice state of affairs to beat the Americans, and all the time leave the way open for those wretched blacks to take us in the rear." "You don't see the rights of it, sir," said Tom Fillot, dismally. "Yes, I do. The blacks thought they had a good chance of getting their own way, and they took it." "Ah, you think it was the niggers, then?" "Why, of course. Bah! how stupid of me.
Point or two more, sir; and, Tom Fillot lad, what was it about them blacks?" "Help him down below," said Mark, and two of the men lifted the poor fellow to his feet and then helped him down to the place prepared for the crew close to the skipper's cabin. "He'll come round again, sir," said Tom from the wheel. "Spoke or two loose in his steering gear, that's all.
At last, though, he leaned over the side, and bathed his throbbing temples with the comparatively cool water, when, by slow degrees, the beating ceased, and the power to think calmly came back. "Do you really feel it would be right, Tom Fillot?" he said. "I'm sure it would, sir." "No, no, I couldn't do it," cried the boy, excitedly; "it seems too dreadful."
"What yer going to do, sir?" said Tom Fillot, in a low tone. "Do?" cried Mark, excitedly, for his blood was regularly up; "why, have another try, of course." "Well done us!" said Dick Bannock, thickly. "I'm ready. We ain't beat." "No good, sir," growled Tom Fillot, in a low, deep voice. "We ain't beat, but we can't do it, sir, for want o' strength."
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