Hunting the Skipper Part 104

Just then the men who had been below came hurrying up, bearing the powder as coolly as if it was so much b.u.t.ter.

"I've brought two on 'em, sir," said the big sailor, "and if you'll just look on, sir, we'll make all right."

"Be careful, my lad," said Murray. "Remember the light's here."

"Ay, ay, sir; we'll be on the lookout for sparks," replied the man; "but hullo, sir! Hear that?"

"Yes," said Murray; "firing over there, and the captain at work."

"Three cheers for 'em, my lads! We shall have the beggars at us here soon."

CHAPTER FIFTY ONE.

LAYING THE TRAIN.

The dangerous preparations were soon made, and Tom May's and his comrades' hands were plainly seen trembling as they handled their kegs.

"Look at that now, sir," said the big sailor. "Did you ever see such a set o' cowards in your life?"

"Cowards, Tom? Never," said Murray, who was all of a quiver too.

"More did I, sir. I wouldn't ha' believed I could ha' been in such a s.h.i.+ver and shake. I supposed it'd be for fear we shouldn't be ready for the warmint; but it don't look like it, do it?"

"Yes, Tom, for your hands are steady enough now you've done."

"Well, I hope so, sir," said the man, "because it seems such a bad example to the lads, and they've all ketched it. Hullo, darkie! What, are you shaking too?"

"Yes, Ma.s.sa Tom," replied the black, with his teeth chattering. "Caesar drefful frighten we no get the gunpowder go off when Ma.s.sa Huggin man come. You let Caesar take lilly barrel now and light um, ma.s.sa."

"Why, here's another awfully cowardly chap, Mr Murray, sir. It's a rum un, arn't it?"

"You make has'e, Ma.s.sa Tom May; not talkee so much palaver," cried the trembling black, seizing hold of one of the barrels and hoisting it upon his shoulder. "You bring candle; set light."

"No, no, Caesar," cried Murray. "Not ready yet. Wait."

The man parted with the little keg unwillingly, and stood with his hand to his ear straining his neck out of the window, and listened.

"Ma.s.sa Huggin man come along," he panted.

"Well, we're ready for them, my coal-dust messmate."

"Hus.h.!.+" whispered Murray. "Who's that calling?" For a voice reached them from the next room.

"It's Mr Roberts, sir. Ahoy, there! Coming, sir."

Murray ran through the opening to where the middy was lying trying to make himself heard.

"Were you calling, d.i.c.k?" said Murray, his voice still trembling with excitement.

"Calling? Yes! Shouting till I was hoa.r.s.e. I could hear. You've got powder now. Bring some here, and the fellows' muskets. I can load if I can't do anything else."

"Yes, bring powder," said another voice, one, however, that sounded very weak and faint. "I think I can reload, too, for the lads."

"No, no, Mr Anderson," cried Murray excitedly; "leave it all to us, sir. The enemy are coming on again, and there is no time to make fresh preparations."

"Ahoy, there, Mr Murray! Now's your time!"

"Off with you, my lad, and Heaven help you!" groaned the lieutenant.

"Roberts, we must bear our lot, and be satisfied with our defenders."

Murray was already through the door which separated the two rooms, to find the men waiting, as ready and eager as if not one amongst them had been wounded.

"Are they very near?" asked Murray excitedly.

"Quite nigh enough, sir," growled the man who was hugging one keg, another able-seaman holding another, while the black grasped a couple of the extemporised sh.e.l.ls.

"No, no, Caesar," said Murray sharply. "Put those down here; they are for throwing. You lead the way out through the lower door along the path the enemy will come."

"Yes sah. You come too?" cried the black.

"Yes; quick! Off with you!"

The man hurried down the staircase, followed by the two sailors, whose comrades had received their orders to stand fast at the upper window to cover the engineering party. The door was thrown open, and Murray led the way out into the darkness, Caesar holding his hand tightly.

"Too late!" said the lad hoa.r.s.ely; and he drew back.

"No, no, sah; plenty time," whispered the black. "Come 'long."

"Ay, ay, sir!" growled Tom May. "Sharp's the word."

"But we shall be running into their arms, my lad, and lose the powder."

"Not us, sir. They can't see us coming, and we mustn't let 'em hear us."

"Forward, then," whispered Murray. "What! there, Caesar?" he continued, for the black had run forward a few steps and then stopped short in a dark alley leading towards the side of the plantation and the quarters of the black servants.

"Yes, ma.s.sa. Huggins man mus' come 'long here."

There was no time for consideration, for the enemy was evidently approaching cautiously, and before any further order could be given Tom May had plumped down the keg he carried, and his companion was about to follow suit with the other, but Murray checked him.

"No, no," he whispered; "one first. Is the top quite open, Tom?"

"Open it is, sir," was the reply.

"Now then, my lad, take the other keg and lay the train. Sprinkle it thickly, walking backward right away along the path here to the door."

"Right it is, sir," growled the big sailor. "No, no, messmate; you keep hold o' the barrel and walk alongside. I'll ladle it out. Mind, all on you, not to tread in the dust. D'yer hear, darkie? Keep back, I tell you; too many cooks 'll spoil the broth."