ered back that individual, "and we're going to hold him
tight."

As for the lieutenant, he took a couple of steps forward, and exclaimed
in a sarcastic tone of voice--

"How do, sir! I think we have met before."

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO.

THE OVERSEER.

The American turned quickly at the officer's words, and looked at him
curiously.

"Met?" he said, without the slightest sign of recognition. "Very like,
sirr," he added, in a peculiar drawl; "where was it?"

"You do not seem to remember," said the lieutenant. "Let me refresh
your memory: a few weeks back, off the coast of Africa."

The man half-closed his eyes and stared hard at the first lieutenant and
then at the two middies in turn.

"Last year, yew mean, squire?" he said. "No: don't seem to know you
again."

"Then I shall have to refresh your memory a little more. Mr Murray,"
continued the officer, "who do you say this man is?"

"The indiarubber planter, sir, who played us that trick."

The man turned sharply upon the lad.

"And who do you say he is, Mr Roberts?"

"The skipper of the lugger, sir, who guided us up the African river."

"There," said the lieutenant; "will that do for you?"

"I guess I don't know what you are talking about, mister," said the man
sharply. "You said something about a trick. Is this some trick of
yours?"

"Why, confound your impudence, sir!" cried the lieutenant hotly. "How
dare you speak like this to a King's officer!"

"Don't get in a fuss, mister," said the Yankee coolly. "We don't deal
in King's officers here, and don't want to. Here, Mr Allen, you're an
Englishman; these people are more in your way. What do they want?"

"It is the lieutenant of a ship that has cast anchor here, Huggins,"
said the gentleman addressed agitatedly. "It is about the slaves."

"Eh? About the slaves? Our slaves--your slaves? Well, what about
'em?"

"Yes; about the slaves we have here. You understand?"

"Not me! Not a bit. He's been talking to you, has he?"

"Yes--yes."

"Well, then, you'd better finish the business. Tell him I don't want to
trade any away. We've got no more than will get in the crops."

"Speak to him," said the other, who seemed to grow more nervous and
agitated.

"Oh, very well. Look here, mister; you've come to the wrong shop. I
don't understand what you mean by making believe to know me, but I don't
know you, and I'm not going to trade in blacks with any British ship.
Understand?"