TOUSSAINT L'OUVERTURE
The _Agile_ only remained for two days at Cape Francois, but in that
time Nat had learned enough of the doings of the French commissioners to
see that the position was becoming hourly more and more hopeless, and
nought short of the arrival of a powerful army from France under a
capable commander, without political bias and with supreme authority, or
the taking over of the island by the English, could bring back peace and
prosperity. He was, however, rejoiced to know that Monsieur Duchesne had
already taken passages for himself, his wife and daughter, and the old
nurse, to Jamaica, and would leave in a few days; and that Monsieur
Pickard had received and accepted an offer for his estate, which was at
least as good as he had hoped for, and would also return to Kingston as
soon as the necessary documents could be prepared and signed.
For some weeks the _Agile_ cruised backwards and forwards along the
coast of Hayti without adventure. Nat had endeavoured, but
unsuccessfully, to open communication with the blacks under Biassou and
Francois, the two chief negro leaders. It was seldom, indeed, that he
caught sight of a human being except when cruising in the bay. The
mountains along both the north and the south coast were thinly
populated. The white planters and employees had perished to a man, and
all the smaller villages had been deserted. St. Louis, Jacmel, Fesle,
and Sale Trou were occupied by small bodies of French troops, but most
of the settlers had left; and the whole of the negroes had from the
first taken to the mountains. The same was the case at Port Dauphin,
Port de Paix, Le Cap, and St. Nicholas on the north. It was at St.
Nicholas that he was for the first time able to open communication with
the negroes. He had anchored in the bay, and, among the native boats
that came off to sell fruit and fresh meat, was one in which a mulatto
of shabby appearance was seated in the stern. As the boat came alongside
he stood up, and said to Turnbull, who was leaning on the rail watching
the sailors bargaining with the negroes:
"Can I speak with the captain, sir? I have a message for him."
"Yes, I have no doubt that he will see you. Come on deck."
The man climbed up the side, and followed Turnbull aft to where Nat was
sitting.
"This man wants to speak to you, sir."
"I am the bearer of a letter," he said, "to the English officer
commanding this ship," and he handed him a very small note. It was as
follows:--
_Sir,--As there are rumours that some of the people of this island
have opened negotiations with the governor of Jamaica, we, who
represent the coloured people of this country, will be glad to have
a conversation with you, and to learn from you what would probably
be the conditions on which your country would be likely to accept
the sovereignty of this island. What would be the condition of the
coloured people here if they did so? Should we be guaranteed our
freedom and rights as men, or would it mean merely a change of
masters? If you are willing to accede to this invitation, I will
personally guarantee your safety, and that, whatever the result of
our conversation might be, you shall be escorted in safety back to
your ship. We are willing that you should be accompanied by not
more than six of your sailors, for whose safety I would be equally
responsible. The bearer of this will arrange with you as to the
point and hour at which you would land._
This was signed "Toussaint."
Nat remembered the name.
"Is the writer of this the man who was the coachman of Monsieur Bayou,
the agent of the Count de Noe?"
"The same, sir. He is now next in command to Biassou and Francois. He is
greatly respected among the negroes, and is their chief doctor."
"I have met him, and know that he is worthy of confidence. This is just
what we have been wanting, Turnbull," he said, handing the letter to
him.
"Then you know this man?" Turnbull said, after he had read it, and
stepped a few paces away from the messenger, so as to be able to
converse unheard by him.
"Yes, he is one of the few who remained faithful at the rising,
concealed his master and family in the woods, and got them safely off. I
had an interview with him, and endeavoured to get him to do as much for
Madame Duchesne, but he refused, saying that he had done his duty to his
master and must now do it to his countrymen. I had frequently spoken
with him before. He bore a very high character, and was much respected
by all the negroes in the plantations round. As you see, he writes and
expresses himself well, and has, indeed, received a very fair education,
and is as intelligent as an ordinary white man. I am quite sure that I
can place confidence in him."
"Perhaps so, but the question is not whether he would be willing, but
whether he would have the power, to ensure your safety. Biassou is, by
all accounts, a perfect monster of cruelty."
"Yes, they say he is the most fiendish of all these savage brutes. Of
course I must risk that. My instructions, as you know, are to open
communication with the negroes, if possible, and ascertain their
intentions. This is the first opportunity that has offered, and I can
hardly expect a more favourable one."
"You will take one of us with you, I hope."
"No; if anything happens to me the _Agile_ must have a captain, and you
would want at least one officer."
He returned to the mulatto.
"Shall I give you a message in writing, or will you take it by word of
mouth?"
"I do not want writing, sir; if I were searched, and it were found that
I was an agent of Toussaint, I should be hung at once. You give me a
message, and I will repeat it."
"Tell Toussaint that the commander of this ship is Mr. Glover, whom he
will remember to have seen at Monsieur Duchesne's plantation and
elsewhere, and who knows him to be an honourable man, and will therefore
trust himself in the mountains relying upon his promise of protection.
You understand that?"
"Yes, sir."
"Please repeat my words."
The man did so.
"How far is Toussaint from here?"
"Six hours' journey among the hills."
"Then tell him that I will land to-morrow night, or rather the next
morning, an hour before daybreak--that is to say, at about half-past
four. That time will be best, because the boat will return to the ship
before it is light enough for it to be seen. Where do you propose that I
shall go?"
"You see that rock near the end of the point to the south?--it is about
three miles from there. To the left of that rock is a sandy beach, which
is a good place for landing. Your escort will be there waiting for you."
The mulatto bowed, and at once went over the side and got into his boat,
while the two men who had rowed him out were still busy selling fruit to
the crew. Nat told Sambo to go and buy some fruit, not because they
really wanted it, for a supply had already been bought, but in order
that, should any of the negroes in the other boats have noticed the
mulatto coming on board, it would be supposed that he had done so in
order to persuade the steward to deal with him. The next day four picked
men were chosen to accompany Nat. They were to take no muskets with
them, but each was to carry, in addition to his cutlass, a pistol in his
belt, and another concealed in the bosom of his shirt. The absence of
muskets was intended to show the negroes that the party had no fear as
to their safety. Nat himself intended to carry only his sword, and a
double-barrelled pistol in his belt. At four o'clock on the following
morning, he and the four men took their places in the gig, and were
rowed ashore to the point agreed on. As they landed a negro came down to
meet them.
"Toussaint charged me to tell you, sir, that he has sent twelve men
down, and that he has done so lest you should meet other parties of our
people who might not know of this safe-conduct that he has given you."
And he handed a document to Nat.
"He has done well," Nat said. "I know that I can rely upon Toussaint,
but I myself have thought it possible that we might fall in with men of
other bands, and I have therefore brought four of my sailors with me. I
am ready to start with you whenever you choose."
"We will go on at once. The hills are very close here, but it is best
that we should be well among them before it is daylight, or we might be
noticed by someone in the town. They would not concern themselves much
with us, but your dress and that of the sailors would be sure to cause
talk and excite suspicion among the soldiers."
He went up to some negroes standing a short distance away and gave them
an order. They at once started. He himself took his place by Nat, and
the sailors followed close behind.
"You talk French very well," Nat said.
"Yes, sir, thanks to Toussaint. You do not remember me, though I should
know you were it daylight, for I have seen you several times when you
have been over at our plantation with Mademoiselle Duchesne. I was chief
helper in Monsieur Bayou's stables. Of an evening Toussaint had a sort
of school, and four or five of us always went to him, and I learned to
read and write, and to talk French as the whites talk it and not as we
do. He is a good man, and we all love him. There are many who think he
will one day be king of the island; he knows much more than any of the
others. But it may be that he will be killed before that, for Biassou
hates him because he does not like his cruel ways and speaks boldly
against them, which no one else dare do, not even Francois, whom we all
regard as equal in rank to him.
"There have been many quarrels, but Biassou knows well enough that if he
were to hurt Toussaint there would be a general outcry, and that he and
the men who carried out his orders would assuredly be killed. For all
that no one doubts that he would get Toussaint removed quietly if there
was a chance of doing so, but we do not mean to give him the chance.
There are twenty of us who keep guard over him. As for Toussaint, he is
not like the others, who, when there is nothing else to be done, spend
their time in feasting and drinking. He is always busy attending to the
wounded who are brought up to him, or the sick, of whom there are many,
for the cold air in the mountains has brought down great numbers with
the fever, especially those whose plantations lay on the plain, and who
were accustomed to sleep in huts. Very many have died, but Toussaint has
saved many, and were it needed he could have two hundred for his guard
instead of twenty.
"But indeed he thinks not of danger, his whole thoughts are taken up
with his work; and he is often without regular sleep for nights
together, so great is the need for his services."
The ground at once began to rise rapidly, and before the day fairly
broke they were high among the hills. When it became light Nat examined
the document Toussaint had sent to him. It ran as follows:--
_I, Toussaint, do give notice to all that I have given this
safe-conduct and my solemn promise for his safety to Monsieur
Glover, a British officer, with whom I desire to converse on
matters of importance._
Then followed his signature and a great seal in red wax.
"It was the one Monsieur Bayou used," the negro said. "Toussaint brought
it and the wax from his office, and uses it often, so that we may all
recognize it when we see it--for, as you know, sir, there are scarcely
any of our people who can read."
After three hours' walking the man pointed out a wood near the crest of
a high hill a mile distant.
"Toussaint is there," he said. "He accompanied us to that point in order
that you should have less distance to travel."
Nat was by no means sorry at the news. The way had been very steep and
difficult, and the sun had now gained great power. As they neared the
edge of the wood, Toussaint came out to meet him.
"I am glad to see you, Monsieur Glover," he said quietly. "I learned
from our people at Cape Francois that you had returned there with Madame
Duchesne and her daughter, and I rejoiced indeed at your escape, which
seemed to me marvellous, for how you avoided the search made for you I
could not tell. They told me that Madame Duchesne was carried down on a
litter, which must have greatly added to your difficulties. I hardly
thought, monsieur, when I saw you last that we should thus meet again, I
as one of the leaders of my people, you as commander of an English
ship."
"No; things change quickly, Toussaint."
The negro led the way to a rough hut constructed of boughs and trees in
the centre of the clump.
"You must need breakfast, and, as you see, it is ready for you. Your men
will be cared for."
The breakfast was rough, but Nat enjoyed it greatly. Toussaint remarked
that he himself had breakfasted an hour before, and he talked while his
guest ate.
"It is as well," he said, "that you should be down near the spot where
you landed before it is dark, for the track is far too rough to travel
after dark. I suppose you have ordered your boat to come to fetch you?"
"Yes, I ordered it to be there as soon as it could leave the ship
without being seen from the shore; but I hardly thought that I should be
able to return this evening, as your messenger told me that your camp
was six hours' journey among the hills."
"Yes, my camp is there, and I too would like to return before nightfall.
There are many who need my care, and I have already been too long away.
Now, Monsieur Glover, as to the subject on which I asked you to come to
converse with me. We have heard that some of the planters have sent a
deputation to Jamaica asking the governor to send troops to take this
island for England. We, as you doubtless know, are not for the republic.
We call ourselves the royal army, seeing that the National Assembly of
France refuse to do anything for us. It is true that their commissioners
at Cape Francois have issued a proclamation offering a free pardon to
all who have been concerned in the insurrection, and freedom and equal
rights to men of all colour. We do not believe them. The Assembly care
nothing for us. They passed a decree giving rights to the mulattoes, but
in no way affecting us; and then, directly they found that the mulattoes
were exercising their rights, they passed another decree reversing the
first. One cannot expect good faith in men like these; they would wait
till we had laid down our arms and returned to our plantations, and then
they would shoot us down like dogs, just as they are murdering all the
best men of their own country and keeping their king a prisoner.
Therefore we do not recognize the republic, but are for the king."
"I fear there will soon be no king for you to recognize," Nat said;
"everything points to the fact that they are determined to murder him,
as they have murdered every noble and every good man in the country."
"I see that," Toussaint said gravely, "but the number of those who know
what is passing in France is small. However, we who do know, and are
responsible for the mass who trust in us, must consider what is the best
thing to do. Do you think there will be a war between France and
England?"
"I think that if the king is murdered the indignation in England, which
is already intense, will be so great that war is certain."
"So much the better for us," Toussaint said. "The more they fight
against each other, the less will they be able to pay attention to
Hayti; but on the other hand the more likely will it be that the English
will endeavour to obtain possession of this island. Now, between the
French and the English we have no great choice. We regard ourselves as
French; we speak the French language, and have, ever since the colony
was first formed, lived under the French flag. Then, on the other hand,
the French have been our masters, and we are determined that they shall
never again be so. Now as to your people. In their own islands they have
slaves just as the French have here, and we have no intention of
changing slavery under one set of masters for slavery under another.
Now, sir, do you think that if the English were to come here they would
guarantee that slavery should never exist again in the island?"
"That I cannot say," Nat said. "I cannot answer for what the British
parliament would do in that matter. The feeling against slavery is
growing very fast in England, and I feel convinced that before long a
law will be passed putting a stop altogether to the transportation of
negroes from Africa; but whether that feeling will, at any rate for a
long time, so gain in strength as to cause parliament to pass a law
abolishing slavery altogether in British dominions, is more than I can
say. It would be a tremendous step to take. It would mean absolute ruin
to our islands; for you know as well as I do that your people are not
disposed for work, and would never make steady labourers if allowed to
live in their own way. Then you see, were slavery abolished altogether
in this island, it would be difficult in the extreme to continue it in
others."
"But they would not find us as slaves here," Toussaint said. "They would
find us a free people, without masters, unattached to any plantation or
to any regular toil; we should be like the Caribs in Jamaica. It would
be as if they came to a land which foreigners had never visited. They
would find a people with arms in their hands, and perfectly capable of
defending themselves, but ready to accept the sovereignty of England on
the condition that our personal liberty was in no way interfered with."
"There is a great deal in what you say, Toussaint, and to-morrow I shall
sail for Jamaica and explain exactly the line you take to the admiral. I
may say that in coming to see you I do so in accordance with the orders
that I received, to ascertain if possible the views of the leaders of
this movement."
"If these terms are refused," Toussaint went on, "and your people invade
the island, we shall leave you and the French to fight it out until we
perceive which is the stronger, and as soon as we do so, shall aid the
weaker. I do not say that we shall stand aloof up to that time, we shall
fight against both, they would be equally our enemies; but if one were
so far getting the better of it as to be likely to drive the other out,
then in self-defence we should unite our forces against it. I may say
that although we and the mulattoes are both fighting against the French,
the alliance is not likely to be a long one. We all know that if they
got the upper hand they would be far more cruel and more tyrannous than
the whites have been. They have ever looked down upon us, and have
treated us with far greater contempt than have the whites, who, to do
them justice, were kindly masters, and especially treated their house
servants well. There will therefore be four parties here all hostile to
each other. You and the French will be striving for mastery, we for
liberty, the mulattoes for the domination of the island and for their
personal interest. The way I have pointed out is, in my opinion, the
only one that can bring about peace. If your government and people will
give us a solemn undertaking that in no case shall slavery ever be
re-established, and that all men shall have equal rights, we will join
you heart and soul. When I say equal rights I do not mean that they
shall have votes. We are at present absolutely unfit to have votes or
to exercise political power. I only mean that the law shall be the same
for us as for the whites, that we shall be taxed on the same scale in
proportion to our means, that the assembly shall have no power to make
separate laws concerning us, and that, should they attempt to make such
laws, they should be at once dissolved by the white authorities of the
island."
"I think your proposal a perfectly fair one, Toussaint, and I have no
doubt that any one who has, as I have, a knowledge of the situation
here, would not hesitate to accept it. But I doubt whether public
opinion at home is ripe for a change that would be denounced by all
having an interest in the West Indian Islands, and declared by them to
be absolutely destructive to their prosperity. However, you may be
assured that I shall represent your offer in the most favourable light.
I must ask, however, are you empowered by the other leaders to make it?"
"I have talked the matter with Francois, who is wholly of my opinion,"
Toussaint said. "It is useless to talk to Biassou; when he is not
murdering someone he is drinking; but his opposition would go for
little, except among the very worst of our people. He is already
regarded with horror and disgust, and you may be assured that his career
will ere long come to an end, in which case Francois and I will share
the power between us. At the same time I do not blind myself to the
possibility that other leaders may arise. The men of one district know
but little of the others, and may elect their own chiefs. Still, I think
that if I had the authority to say that the proposal I have made to you
had been accepted, I could count on the support of the great majority of
the men of my colour, for already they are beginning to find that a life
of lawless liberty has its drawbacks. Already we have been obliged to
order that a certain amount of work shall be done by every man among
the plantations beyond the reach of the towns, in order to ensure a
supply of food.
"The order has been obeyed, but not very willingly, for there can be no
doubt that a portion of the men believed that when they had once got rid
of the masters there would be no occasion whatever for any further work,
but that they would somehow be supplied with an abundance of all that
they required. The sickness that has prevailed has also had its effect.
There are few, indeed, here who have any knowledge of medicine, and the
poor people have suffered accordingly. When in the plantations they were
always well tended in sickness, while here they have had neither shelter
nor care. It is all very well to tell them that liberty cannot be
obtained without sacrifices, and that it must be a long time before
things settle down and each man finds work to do, but the poor people,
ignorant as they are, are like children, and think very little of the
future. The effect of centuries of slavery will take many years to
remedy. For myself, although I believe that we shall finally obtain what
we desire, and shall become undisputed masters of the island, I foresee
that our troubles are only beginning. We have had no training for
self-government. We shall have destroyed the civilization that reigned
here, and shall have nothing to take its place, and I dread that instead
of progressing we may retrograde until we sink back into the condition
in which we lived in Africa."
At this moment a negro ran up.
"Doctor," he said, "there are a large number of our people close at
hand, and I think I can make out Biassou among them."
"I fear that we may have some trouble, Monsieur Glover," Toussaint said
quietly, "but be assured that I and those with me will maintain my
safe-conduct with our lives. Biassou must have arrived at my camp after
I left, and he must have heard there that I was going to meet an English
officer, and has followed me. He was present when Francois and I
arranged to send a messenger to propose a meeting to you, and he then
assented, but as often as not he forgets in the morning what he has
agreed to overnight."
He went apart and spoke to his men. Twenty of them had accompanied him
from his camp, and with the twelve who had formed the escort, and Nat
and the sailors, there were in all thirty-eight, and from the quiet way
in which they took up their arms Nat had little doubt that they would,
if necessary, make a stout fight against Biassou's savages.
These arrived in two or three minutes. They had evidently travelled at
the top of their speed, for their breath came fast, and they were bathed
in sweat. Their aspect was savage in the extreme. Most of them wore some
garment or other the spoil of murdered victims, some of them broad
Panama-hats, others had women's shawls wrapped round their waists as
sashes, some had jackets that were once white, others were naked to the
waist. A few had guns, the rest either axes or pikes, and all carried
long knives. Conspicuous among them was Biassou himself, a negro of
almost gigantic stature and immense strength, to which he owed no small
part of his supremacy among his friends. He came on shouting "Treachery!
treachery!" words that were re-echoed in a hoarse chorus by his
followers, who numbered about a hundred and fifty.
At the threatening aspect of the new-comers, Toussaint's men closed up
round him, but he signed them to stand back, and quietly awaited the
coming of Biassou. The calmness of Toussaint had its effect on Biassou.
Instead of rushing at him with his axe, as it had seemed was his
intention, he paused and again shouted "Treachery!"
"What nonsense are you talking, Biassou?" Toussaint said. "I am
carrying out the arrangement to which you and Francois agreed the other
night, and am having an interview with this British officer."
"When did I agree to such a thing?" the great negro roared.
"Last Friday night we agreed that it was well that we should learn the
intentions of the English, and that we should ascertain the position in
which we should stand were they to come here."
"I remember nothing about it, Toussaint."
"That is possible enough," the latter replied. "You know that it is no
uncommon thing for you to forget in the morning what was arranged
overnight. This officer has come here on my invitation and under my
safe-conduct, and no man shall touch him while I live."
"It is agreed," Biassou said, "and all have sworn to it, that no white
who falls into our hands shall be spared. Such is the case, is it not?"
he said to his followers; and they answered with a loud shout and began
to press forward.
"These men have not fallen into our hands," Toussaint said, "they have
come here on our invitation, and, as I have told you, with our
safeguard."
"It is all very well for you to talk, Toussaint; I know you. You pretend
to be with us, but your heart is with the whites, and you are here to
conspire with them against us," and he raised his axe as if about to
rush forward.
"This is madness, Biassou," Toussaint said sternly. "Have we not enough
enemies now that we should quarrel among ourselves? You have done enough
harm to our cause already by your horrible cruelties, for which every
coloured man who falls into the hands of the whites has to suffer
severely. Beware how you commence a conflict; you may be more numerous
than we are, but we are better armed, and even if you overpowered us in
the end, you would suffer heavily before you did so."
"I wish you no harm, Toussaint, but for the last time I demand that
these white men shall be given up to me."
"And for the last time I refuse," Toussaint said; and his men without
orders moved up close to him.
Biassou stood for a moment irresolute, and then, with a shout to his men
to follow him, sprang forward. In an instant Nat threw himself before
Toussaint, and when Biassou was within a couple of yards of him threw up
his arm and levelled his pistol between the negro's eyes.
"Drop that axe," he shouted, "or you are a dead man!"
The negro stood like a black statue for an instant. The pistol was but a
foot from his face, and he knew that before his uplifted axe could fall
he would be a dead man.
"Drop it!" Nat repeated. "If you don't before I count three, I fire.
One--two--" and the negro's axe fell to the ground. "Stand where you
are!" Nat exclaimed, "the slightest movement and I fire! Come up here,
men!"
The four sailors came up, cutlass in one hand and pistol in the other.
"This man is your prisoner," he said. "Keep him between you, one on each
side and the other two behind. If he makes the slightest movement to
escape, or if the blacks behind approach any nearer, send your four
bullets into his brain."
The men took up their stations as directed.
"Now, Biassou," he went on, lowering his own pistol, "you can continue
your conference with Toussaint."
[Illustration: "DROP IT!" NAT REPEATED.]
"You see, Biassou," Toussaint said, "you have only rendered yourself
ridiculous. I repeat what I said before, this officer is here in answer
to my invitation sent to him after Francois and you had agreed that it
was advantageous to learn what the objects of the English were. If you
question him you will find that it is as I say. We have had our
conference, have expressed our views, and he will repeat what I have
said to the British governor of Jamaica; and I think that, whatever the
result may be, it is well that the English should understand that we
have resolved that, whether they or the French are the possessors of
this island, slavery is abolished for ever here. He will return at once
to the coast, and will then sail direct for Jamaica. Now, if you have
any observation to make, I shall be glad to hear it."
"I do not doubt what you say," Biassou replied sullenly; "but it must be
settled by what Francois says when we rejoin him."
"So be it," Toussaint said. "And now, I pray you, let there be no
quarrel between us. I have been forced to withstand you, because I was
bound by a sacred promise. Any divisions will be fatal to our cause. For
the moment you may be in superior force, but another time those who love
and follow me might be the more numerous. You well know that I am as
faithful to the cause as you are, and we must both set an example to our
followers, that while we may differ as to the methods by which success
is to be gained, we are at one in our main object."
"I admit that I was wrong," the great negro said frankly. "I drank more
than was good for me before I started, and my blood has been heated by
the speed with which we followed you. I am sober now, for which I have
to thank," he added with a grim smile, "this young officer; though I own
that I do not like his method. Let us think no more of it;" and he held
out his hand to Toussaint, which the latter took.
A shout of satisfaction rose from the negroes on both sides. The
determined attitude of Toussaint's men, the fact that they had four
whites among them, and that almost all of them had muskets, had cooled
the courage of Biassou's followers, who, as soon as their leader was
captured, saw that even if they gained the victory, it would be at the
cost of at least half their number. There was no prospect of plunder or
of any advantage, and they knew that, beloved and respected as Toussaint
was, it was very possible that those who did survive the fight would
fall victims to the indignation that would be aroused at the news of an
attack being made upon him.
"Now that it is all settled we may as well be starting for the coast,
Toussaint," Nat said. "There is nothing more for us to arrange, and as
our presence here might possibly lead to further trouble, the sooner we
are off the better."
"I will not ask you to stay," the negro said. "I do not think that we
shall have any more trouble, but there is no saying. Several of
Biassou's men have wine-skins with them, and a quarrel might arise when
they had drunk more. I will send you down under the same escort as
before."
"I do not think that we shall need so many. I should not like to weaken
you so far."
"There is no fear for me," Toussaint said decidedly. "Arriving in hot
blood they might have attacked me, but I am sure they will not do so
now. They know well enough that I should be terribly avenged were they
to do so. It is quite necessary that you should take as many men as
before, for it is possible that some of Biassou's men might steal away
and follow you."
A few minutes afterwards Nat set out with his men and his guard of
twelve blacks. It was still some hours before the time at which he was
to be met by the boat. They therefore halted when within a mile of the
shore, and there waited until it was dark. Then he went on alone with
the four sailors to the beach, and in a few minutes after they arrived
there they heard the sound of the oars of the gig.
"I am heartily glad to see you back again," Turnbull said as Nat stepped
on to the deck. "Lippincott and I have been horribly uneasy about you
all day. Did everything go off quietly?"
"Yes, except for two or three minutes, when that bloodthirsty scoundrel
Biassou came upon the scene with a hundred and fifty of his followers.
There was very nearly a shindy then, but it passed off; for he did not
like looking down the muzzle of my pistol at a few inches from his head,
and my four men made him a prisoner until affairs had taken a friendly
turn, which was not long after. For when the leader of a party is a
prisoner, and his guards have orders to shoot him instantly if there is
any trouble, it is astonishing how quick people are in coming to an
understanding."
"Yes, I should say so," Turnbull laughed. "However, as it has turned out
well, and you have fulfilled your mission, it doesn't matter to us; and
I hope that we have now done with this creeping alongshore work."