ob mine to help you.'

"`Oh! as to dat,' ses de cappin, `I'll easily find him widout your
assistance. I have a party of men with me, and no one knows or even
suspects de reason ob my visit. But all of you who now hear me mus'
promise not to say a word about this matter till my search is over. I
believe you to be an honourable Christian man, Zeppa, who cannot break
his word; may these ladies be relied on?'

"`Dey may,' ses massa, in a voice ob woe dat a'most made me cry. So
w'en I hear dat I tink's to myself, `oh! you British hipperkrit, you's
not so clebber as you t'inks, for Ebony's got to wind'ard ob you,' an'
wid dat I slips out ob do back winder an' run to you's cottage, an' ask
if you'd like to have a ride on my back as usual, an' you say yis, an'--
now you's here, an' I dessay de cappin's lookin' for you."

"It is very kind of you, Ebony," said Rosco, with a deep sigh and a
shake of the head, "very kind, both of you and Zeppa, but your efforts
cannot now avail me. Just consider. If the description of me possessed
by Captain Fitzgerald is as faithful and minute as you say, the mere
absence of my feet could not deceive him. Besides, when I am found, if
the commander of the man-of-war asks me my name I will not deny it, I
will give myself up."

"But if you do dey will hang you!" said Ebony in a somewhat exasperated
tone.

"Even so. It is my fate--and deserved."

"But it would be murder to hang a innercent man what's bin reformed, an'
don't mean for to do no more mischief--not on'y so, but _can't_!"

"I fear you won't get the broken law to look at it in that light,
Ebony."

"Broken law! what does I care for de broken law? But tell me, massa,
hab you make up you's mind to gib youself up?"

"I have," returned Rosco sadly.

"Quite sure an' sartin'?"

"Quite," returned Rosco, with a faint smile at the poor negro's
persistency.

"Well, den, you come an' hab a last ride on my back. Surely you no kin
refuse so small a favour to dis yar black hoss w'ats carried you so of
in, afore you die!"

"Of course not, my poor fellow! but to what purpose--of what use will it
be to delay matters? It will only prolong the captain's search
needlessly."

"Oh! nebber mind. Der's good lot o' huts in de place to keep de
hipperkrit goin'. Plenty ob time for a last leetil ride. Besides, I
want you to see a place I diskiver not long ago--most koorious place--
you nebber see."

"Come along, then," said Rosco, thin