It is astonishing what can be done in the most painful times when there
are good leaders, and a spirit of discipline reigns. I remember how I
noted it here that noontide; when, after food and rest, the fresher men
relieved sentries, and strove to listen to the General as he pointed out
that though the block-house was gone and our retreat cut off, we were in
nearly as good a position of defence as ever, for our barriers were
firm, and it was not certain, even in the most fierce of assaults, that
the enemy could win. In addition, he pointed out that at any hour a
British ship might appear in the river, whose presence alone would
startle the Indians; while if the worst came to the worst, there would
be a place for us to find safety.
"There, Morgan," I said, feeling quite inspirited, as I noted the change
which seemed to have come over the men. "You see how mad all that was
last night."
He smiled as he laid his hand on my arm. "Look you, Master George," he
said, "you always forget that I only talked of that as being something
to be done if it came to the worst."
"And it has not come to the worst," I said.
"And I hope it never may," he replied.
I hurried to my father's side to tell him what had gone on; and I found
him in a great deal of pain, but apparently quite cheerful and grateful
to the big black, who now declared himself well enough to attend to "de
massa," and forgetful of his own injuries, which were serious enough,
the cuts on his arms being still bad, while he had been a good deal
scorched by the fire.
"I can never be grateful enough to you, Hannibal," said my father again.
"You saved my life."
"Massa sabe Hannibal life," said the great negro, with a grave smile.
"Can't say well, but tink great deal 'bout all massa done for us."
"Don't talk about it," said my father, quietly.
"No, sah," replied the great black, turning to me, "not talk 'bout; tink
about much--much more."
"Well, Hannibal, if we live to get clear of this dreadful trouble, I
will try to be fair to--" He stopped for a few moments, wincing
evidently from pain.
"Better now," he said, with a smile. "I was going to say, I have never
considered either you, Hannibal, or your boy as slaves."
"No, massa," said the big black, calmly.
"But you are considered to be so here; and from this day I give you both
your liberty."
Hannibal smiled, and shook his head.
"Do you not understand me?"
"Massa give holiday. Han done want holiday," said the black,
laboriously.
"No, no; I set you both perfectly free."
"Massa tink Pomp lazy--Hannibal no fight 'nuff?"
"My good fellow, no," said my father, drawing his breath hard. "You do
not fully understand. You were brought to this place and sold for a
slave."
"Yes, understand. Massa bought Hannibal."
"Then now you are quite free to go where you like."
"Where go to, sah?"
"As soon as we have beaten off these Indians, back to your own country."
The black shook his head.
"You would like to go back to your own country?"
"No," said the black, thoughtfully. "'Top fight for capen and Mass'
George."
"But we shall have done fighting soon, I hope, and then you can go in
peace."
"No peace in Han country."
"What?"
"Alway fight--make prisoner--sell slave. Han want Pomp here talk for
um."
"Ah, well, wait till we get peace, and things are getting on smoothly
again, then we can talk."
"Capen cross wif Hannibal?"
"Cross? No; grateful."
"Han stay here 'long massa and Mass' George."
"Ah, George, any good news?" said my father, turning to me. "You see I
am forced to be a slave-owner."