words--

"Massa--massa! You dah?"

And now, suffering from the strange whirl of excitement which seemed to
choke all utterance, Frank Murray felt that it was impossible to reply.

CHAPTER FORTY FIVE.

A FRIEND IN NEED.

"Massa sailor officer, you dah?" came again; and still the midshipman
could not respond.

"You dah?" came in an angry whisper. "You no open your mouf, sah?"

"Yes, yes," whispered Murray, recovering himself. "I could not speak.
It is you, Caesar, isn't it?"

"Caesar. Come. Big black fellow Tullus come along to get plantain; see
young sailor officer. Tell Caesar. Where big sailor?"

"Tom May? I have lost him."

"Not killed, sah, and other young officer?"

"No; he is here, Caesar. Where is Mr Anderson?"

"Gone; had big fight with Huggins's men."

"Any one hurt, Caesar?"

"Caesar no don't know. Nearly get kill. Where Massa young sailor hand,
take hold?"

Murray raised his hand, and it was taken directly between those of the
black speaker; and the midshipman started, for one of these was bandaged
up as if the poor fellow had been wounded.

"Where other young sailor officer?"

"Hurt, and lying down here asleep."

"Very bad hurt?"

"Yes, my man. Where is Mr Allen?"

"Caesar don't know yet awhile. Want to find Massa Allen. Very much
great deal of fighting, sah. Massa Huggins bring many men out of
schooner ship kill much slabe boy. Kill very bad, and poor Caesar can't
find Massa Huggins. Want kill um and save Massa Allen."

"Who wounded you, Caesar?"

"Massa Huggin, sah. Poor slabe fellow too much afraid. Run away.
Caesar t'ink massa sailor officer killed dead."

"Is your wound very bad?" asked Murray.

"Yes, sah; dreffle bad."

"Let me examine it."

"Examine?"

"Yes; let me see how bad it is and tie it up."

"No time. Caesar tie corn-leaf all about and stop bleed. Caesar don't
mind. What massa sailor officer call himself?"

"Murray--Frank," was the reply.

"Murray Frank, sah. Murray Frank, sah, come away dreckerly and bring
your brudder sailor. Caesar couldn't find young massa for big long
time. Now come?"

"Come where?" asked Murray quickly.

"Caesar don't know. Want find Massa Anderson lieutenant. Want find big
Tom May chap. Massa know where?"

"No, Caesar. Can't you show me?"

"No, sah! Everybody run all away. Lot people get killed. Caesar glad
find Massa young sailor 'gain."

"So am I, my lad. But now can you find Tom May