d been taken while
defending the territories of the said king against an unlawful attack
made on them by the English boats. Also, there were some Spanish
cavaliers, his honoured allies, who must be likewise restored to
liberty: there were some slaves too, who must be given up, or the king
would visit the English with his intense displeasure.

The long rigmarole speech, of which this was the substance, would have
made Hemming laugh on any other occasion. However, now he merely
replied, "Listen. Tell the king, or whatever he calls himself, that the
English are here to punish evil-doers, to set slaves at liberty, to put
a stop to the slave-trade, to encourage commerce, and to prevent wars.
If the people we have caught are found to be pirates, as such they will
be hung. We keep no terms with people who, like him, support piracy and
the slave-trade."

Hemming said something more to the same effect. The negro had, however,
a last card to play, which he fancied would win the game.

"Ah, then, if you kill our people, the king says he will kill a little
officer we have of yours. His life may not be worth much, but he shall
die." The negro grinned horribly as he said this.

"If he does," exclaimed Hemming furiously, "tell the king that we will
never rest till we have pulled him off his throne and his town about his
ears, and burnt up all his country. Now you have got my answer. Go."
Hemming wisely would not condescend to say another word after this. He
knew pretty well how to treat such barbarians. The sable ambassador and
his motley suite, finding that nothing more was to be got out of the
English officer, took his departure. Scarcely had he gone, when a
figure was seen to creep out from among some bushes in the
neighbourhood. It proved to be the negro lad who had warned them of the
black pilot's intended treachery. He ran forward and threw himself at
Hemming's feet, showing every sign of delight at finding him again.
Hemming at once thought of asking him about Jack. The very thing it
proved he had come about. He had heard of him, had gone and discovered
where he was shut up, and understood that his captors talked of killing
him should any harm befall their people who had been taken prisoners.--
Hemming felt sure that he might be fully trusted, so did Murray and
Adair. They therefore explained their plan to him, and asked him to
assist them. This he at once joyfully undertook to do. Very little
change in t