Mass' George Part 88

"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 ma.s.sa," 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."

"Ma.s.sa sabe Hannibal life," said the great negro, with a grave smile.

"Can't say well, but tink great deal 'bout all ma.s.sa 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, ma.s.sa," 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?"

"Ma.s.sa give holiday. Han done want holiday," said the black, laboriously.

"No, no; I set you both perfectly free."

"Ma.s.sa 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. Ma.s.sa 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 Ma.s.s'

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 ma.s.sa and Ma.s.s' George."

"Ah, George, any good news?" said my father, turning to me. "You see I am forced to be a slave-owner."

I shook my head rather sadly as I thought of Morgan's words.

"Oh, don't despair, my boy," he said, cheerfully. "It has seemed very desperate several times, but the Indians are still at bay, and we are alive."

"Yes, father, but--"

"Well?"

"The fort is burnt down."

"Yes; the enemy got the better of us there, but we are not beaten yet.

Things looked black last night; after rest and food they are as different as can be. When shall you be ready to start home to begin rebuilding?"

"You are only talking like that, father, to cheer me up," I said, sadly.

"Do you think I don't know that it is all over?"

"I do not think--I am sure you don't know, my boy," he said, smiling.

"How can you? A battle is never lost till it is won. Did you ever see two c.o.c.ks fight?"

"Yes; once or twice, father," I said, wonderingly.

"So have I," he replied, "not in the case of so-called sport, but naturally, as such birds will fight; and I have seen one beaten down, apparently quite conquered, and the victor as he believed himself has leaped upon his fallen adversary and begun to crow."

"Yes, I know," I cried, eagerly; "and then the beaten bird has struggled and spurred the other so fiercely that he has run away in turn."

"Yes; you have finished my anecdote for me. It is too soon yet for the Indians to begin to crow. They are still outside our place, and the powder is plentiful yet."