hears a tremenjous hullabaloo of niggers shoutin', and tom-toms
beatin', and dogs barkin', and what not, so we knowed that we was pretty
close aboard a native village, as they calls 'em, so we shortened sail
and got in among the bushes, creepin' for'ard until we could see what
was happenin'. And when at last we was able to get a pretty clear view,
the sight we saw was enough to freeze a man's blood. They'd got all our
chaps lashed to stakes set up in a clear, open space in front of the
village, and one of the pore unfort'nit fellers was stripped stark naked
and bein' tormented by a crowd o' niggers what was puttin' burnin'
splinters between his fingers, and stickin' 'em into his flesh, and
pourin' red-hot cinders into his mouth, what they'd prised open by
thrustin' a thick stick in between his jaws; and the shrieks as that
unhappy man was lettin' fly was just awful to listen to; but the savages
seemed to enjy 'em, for they just yelled with delight at every shriek.
Mike and me we turned as sick as dogs at what we seen; and presently
Mike grabs me by the hand and says: `Let's get back to the ship, mate,
and report. P'rhaps the skipper'll forgive us for what we've done, and
persuade the navy gent to fit out a hexpedition to rescue the others.'
So away we came as fast as we could, but when we got to the boat she was
aground, and we had to wait a long time until she floated. But here we
are, sir; and oh, gen'lemen, for the love o' God do somethin', if ye
can, to save them pore chaps what's bein' tormented to death over
there."

CHAPTER EIGHT.

THE RESCUE.

For a few seconds after the close of the man's harrowing account there
was a dead silence among us. Then the general, wiping the perspiration
from his face, turned to me and said:

"Grenvile, my friend, this is a situation for you to grapple with, and a
very difficult situation it is, I confess. For, on the one hand, those
unhappy men must be rescued at all hazards, while, on the other, it is
equally imperative that the ship and those in her should be protected
from a possible, not to say very probable, attack by the savages. Now,
what is to be done? Of course you will understand that I am ready to
play any part that you may assign to me, but I may be permitted to
suggest that I should probably be more useful in leading the shore
expedition than in any other way."

"Thank you, general. Yes, no doubt you are right, but it is a very
difficult situation, as