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"I can only account for it by supposing that our friend Ravelo is an officer of some power. If so, it was doubly fortunate that we had the opportunity of doing him a good turn." "Now, you leave dem two drumsticks for me, 'Ockins," said Ebony, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "You'll do yourself a injury if you heat de whole ob 'im."
"True, true," replied the youth, shortly for confinement was beginning to tell unfavourably on himself. "Das w'ere it is," remarked Ebony, endeavouring to brighten up a little, but with only moderate success, "it's sottin still an' doin' nuffin dat kills. What you tink, 'Ockins?"
"Well, thank God for this, anyhow," said Mark, taking up one of the three spoons which lay on the rice and going to work with a will. "Just so," responded the seaman. "I'm thankful too, and quite ready for grub." "Curious ting, 'Ockins," remarked Ebony, "dat your happytite an' mine seems to be allers in de same state sharp!"
"What need to ax that, you stoopid nigger?" said Hockins; "don't you know he's a Christian?" "Das true, 'Ockins. I hoed an' forgot." "But tell me, Ravonino, are de crokindiles awrful rampageous when dey're roused?" "Yes, they are pretty bad," said the guide, clearing his throat, for he was fond of expatiating on the wonders and beauties of his native land!
The choke got the better of our sailor at this point, and he became suddenly silent. "Das so!" burst in Ebony, with extreme energy. "I's wid you dere! I tell you what it is, 'Ockins, dem brown niggers is true Kistians, an' we white folks is nuffin but hipperkrits." "I hope we're not quite so bad as that, Ebony," said Mark, with a sad smile.
Hockins observed the act, and there passed over his soul another wave of self-condemnation, which was indicated by a deprecatory shake of his rugged head. Observing it, Ebony paused a moment and said "You's an awrful sinner, 'Ockins!" "True, Ebony." "Das jist what I is too. Quite as bad as you. P'r'aps wuss!"
Slowly and with a dazed look the seaman raised himself on one elbow and looked round. "Any anything of ye left, boy?" he asked, quietly. "I I's not kite sure, 'Ockins," replied the negro, slowly passing his hand down one of his legs without rising from the floor. "'Ow does it feel wid you?"
The negro opened his huge mouth in an amiable laugh at his companion, who had taken advantage of the brief halt to give a hearty rub to his colossal limbs. "Rugged enough it is, no doubt," said the sailor, gravely, "an' it makes my sea-legs raither stiffish. But never you fear, Ebony; they're tough, an' will last as long as yours, anyhow." "You's right, 'Ockins.
"Right you are, 'Ockins; ob course I's got de same sentiments zactly," said the negro, lifting up his strong arm and ruefully surveying the heavy iron links of native manufacture that descended from his wrist. Mark only sighed. It was the first time he had ever been restrained, even by bolt or bar, much less by manacles, and the effect on his young mind was at first overwhelming.
Now, 'Ockins, fair play wid de marrow-bones. Hand me anoder." "Is it far, Mr Ravonino," asked Mark, "from here to the capital to Antananarivo?" "You cleared 'im that time, Doctor!" murmured Hockins, wiping his mouth with a bunch of grass which he carried as a substitute for a pocket-handkerchief. "Yes, it is a long way," said the outlaw; "many days' journey over mountain and plain."
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