he scene, with my brow wet with perspiration, I saw
the boat make now for the schooner, and quite a dozen canoes put off
from the shore.

"Lor', what a thing ignorance is, and how far niggers are behind white
men in pluck! Why, if these fellows knew what they were about, they
might easily overhaul that little schooner, take their brothers out of
her, and give the blackbird catchers such a lesson as they'd never
remember and never forget, for they'd kill the lot. There ain't a
breath o' wind."

"But they will take them, won't they, captain?" I cried.

"No, my lad, not they. They'll go and shout and throw a few spears, and
then go back again; but they'll bear malice, my lad. All white folks
who come in ships will be the same to them, and most likely some poor
innocent boat's crew will be speared, and all on account of the doings
of these blackbird catchers."

"But what do they do with the poor fellows?" I cried.

"Reg'larly sell 'em for slaves, though slavery's done away with, my
boy."

"But will not the blacks rescue their friends?" I said.

"No, my lad."

"Then we must," I cried excitedly; and Jack Penny threw up his cap and
cried "Hooray!" Gyp started to his feet and barked furiously, and Jimmy
leaped in the air, came down in a squatting position, striking the deck
a tremendous blow with his waddy, and shouting "Hi--wup, wup--wup," in
an increasing yell.

The captain, hardened by familiarity with such scenes, laid his hand
upon my shoulder, and smiled at me kindly as he shook his head.

"No, no, my lad, that would not do."

"Not do!" I cried, burning with indignation. "Are we to stand by and
see such cruelties practised?"

"Yes, my lad; law says we musn't interfere. It's the law's job to put
it down; but it's very slow sometimes."

"But very sure, captain," said the doctor quietly. "And when it does
move it is crushing to evil-doers. The captain is quite right, Joe, my
boy," he continued, turning to me. "We must not stir in this case.
I've heard of such atrocities before, but did not know that they were so
common."

"Common as blackguards," said the captain, "It's regular slavery.
There, what did I tell you, my lad?" he continued, as he pointed to the
canoes, which were returning after making a demonstration. "These poor
blacks are afraid of the guns. It's all over--unless--"

He stopped short, scratching his head, and staring first at the schooner
and then at us in turn.

"Unless