ll," said the lieutenant, "they are not rising against us. If they
were they would not be so civil. Besides, they have nothing against us
to rise about. They can't rebel against those who have come to give
them their freedom. Let's go and see what is going on there."

Just then their black guide came forward and stood before them,
evidently for the purpose of stopping their progress, for the lieutenant
had begun to cross the middle of the wide opening in the woods to where
something important was apparently taking place.

"Well, Caesar," said the lieutenant, "what is going on there?"

The black shook his head and looked anxiously from one officer to the
other.

"Massa not go dah," whispered the man. "Massa just look, see, and
listen to what Obeah man say."

"Obeah man?"

"Yes, massa. Obeah man. Snake fetish. Big snake in great box dah.
Priest Obeah man take snake out o' box soon. Not good for massa."

"Oh, that's it, is it?" said the lieutenant. "Do you know anything
about all this, Murray?"

"No," replied the lad, "only that I have heard something of serpent
worship which the blacks have carried with them to Barbadoes and
Jamaica, sir."

"Say Hayti too, my lad."

"No, sir," said Murray, smiling, his face looking bright in the warm
glow spread by the tremendous fire now burning. "I can't say any more,
for I have heard so little about these people and their religion."

"I expect you know as much as I do, Murray, my lad. This is Obeah,
isn't it? Serpent worship, Caesar?"

"Yes, massa. Not good for Bri'sh officer and brave sailor. Snake in
big box. Priest show um to people. Obeah. Berry dreadful, sah."

"Very dreadful nonsense, Murray," said the lieutenant to his companion,
in a low tone. Then speaking aloud: "And what is it all for?"

The black shook his head.

"Caesar can't tell, massa. Priest show big snake Caesar people. Make
all see fire and fight."

"Aha! Fight, eh?" said the lieutenant, after a glance at Murray.

"Yes, massa; make people fight--kill."

"Fight and kill us?" said Mr Anderson.

The man showed his white teeth and shook his head.

"No, massa; Caesar people no fight Bri'sh captain, Bri'sh officer. All
come do poor black fellow good. Massa want know why not go fesh Massa
Allen. Not good time. Caesar people all come to snake fetish. Obeah
priest call people to come not know who Massa Huggin friend, who Massa
Allen friend. Caesar bring Bri'sh officer, Bri'