.
Still, I am sure the captain also will be grateful to you for the
warning you give him; but I am afraid he will be very much annoyed when
he hears of it. I think I must first tell Mr Thudicumb, and he can
arrange the best way of letting the captain know."

"Dat's it, Massa Walter. Tell de first officer. He wise man. He no
put out by dis or any oder matter. I now go forward, lest Ali come on
deck, or any of his people, and see me talking to you."

"Do so," I said; "but, Potto, I think you will assist us if you would
pretend to be more ready to listen to what Ali has to say to you, and
you can give me information of his plans."

Potto did not answer immediately.

"I not certain dat Ali speak de truth to me," he answered. "At first he
did; but he big, cunning rogue, and he suspect dat I no love his plans.
Still, Massa Walter, I do as you wish, dough Potto Jumbo no like to act
spy over any one, even big rascal like Ali. Potto Jumbo once prince in
his own country, before de enemies of his people came and burnt his
village, and kill his fader, and moder, and broders, and sisters, and
carry off him and all dey did leave alive on board de slave-ship. Den
de British cruiser take her, and Potto Jumbo enter on board de
man-of-war, and dere became boy to de cook, and now Potto Jumbo is cook
hisself on board de _Bussorah Merchant_. Dere, Massa Walter, you have
my history. You see I do not wish to do anything derogatory to my
family and my rank;" and Potto Jumbo drew himself up, as if he was again
the monarch of half-a-dozen bamboo-built cottages, and their unclothed,
dark-skinned inhabitants. "Now, good-night, Massa Walter, again; I go
forward."

Potto Jumbo glided away to the fore-peak, and I walked aft. I had,
however, some little time to wait before my watch was over. I then
hurried into the first mate's cabin. He was about to leave it to take
charge of the deck.

"Will you let me have a word with you, sir," I said, "before you leave
the cabin. I have something somewhat unpleasant to communicate, and I
do not like to delay doing so."

"Let me have it out then at once, Walter," he said. "Nothing like the
present moment; and, for my part, I always like to know the worst, if I
can get at it."

I at once told him in a low voice the information I had received from
Potto Jumbo. The light of the lamp in his cabin fell on his
weather-beaten countenance, but I saw no change in it.

"Very likely," he observed