by Oliver Optic
CHAPTER XXVIII
THE NEGRO VILLAGE ON THE ISLE GRANDE TERRE
The commander of the Bronx had explained his plan to the firstlieutenant. There was nothing especially perilous in the expedition tobe sent out; and it was the policy of Christy to keep the steamer out ofsight of the fort, and of those in the immediate vicinity of it. Afterthe Bronx had been on her course about two hours, and four bells hadjust struck, the leadsman reported two fathoms. A little later elevenfeet was the depth.
"Quartermaster, strike one bell," said Christy.
"One bell, sir," repeated the petty officer at the wheel.
"Ten feet!" shouted the man at the lead.
"Strike three bells," added the commander; and the steamer began to backher screw.
As soon as the Bronx had lost her headway, the screw was stopped, anda drift lead was dropped into the water. A sharp lookout had been kept,and some flickering lights had been reported. The weather had becomecloudy since noon, but there was no fog and no wind.
"You will let Mr. Pennant command this expedition, Mr. Flint," saidChristy. "He will take the first cutter, with ten men, includingQuartermaster Vincent and Bornhoff."
The third lieutenant was sent for, and his instructions were given tohim. Mike would be his pilot, and could give him such information as herequired in regard to the locality. He was to land in some convenientlocality, cross the island on foot at the plantation, to Fort Lafitte,distant less than a mile, and ascertain if there were a steamer or othervessels in the bay. He was also instructed to use all means in his powerto ascertain the strength of the fort. He was to make a landing abouthalf a mile west of the plantation buildings.
Within the limits of these instructions, he was to act on his ownjudgment. Mike was sent for, and further information in regard to thecourse was obtained from him. The officer was cautioned to be prudent,and not fall into any traps. If he discovered that there was a steamerin the bay, and that the fort was not heavily armed, he was to burn ared roman candle as a signal to the Bronx, which would proceed to thesouthward, and then enter the Grand Pass by the deepest water.
"Where are the negro quarters of this plantation, Mike?" asked Mr.Pennant.
"Just west of the big house, sir," replied the Russian.
"I don't know exactly where we are now, Captain Passford," said theofficer of the expedition.
"We lie about south of what Mike calls the big house, a mile and a halfdistant from it. Make the boat's course north north-west, and you willstrike the shore about half way between the planter's house and thefort. But when you get near enough to see both of them, you can landwhere you think best," Christy explained.
The boat's crew had already lowered the first cutter into the water. Theoars were muffled, for the chances were that no one in the vicinity ofthe plantation had discovered the presence of the Bronx, and it was notadvisable to alarm the people. Vincent acted as cockswain of the boat,while the Russian, as most of the officers and men insisted upon callinghim, was seated in the stern sheets with the third lieutenant. The eightmen at the oars formed the rest of the crew.
"I don't believe you will find many hands down here, Mr. Pennant," saidMike in a whisper.
"What do you mean by hands?" asked the officer.
"Laborers, niggers," replied the Russian.
"Why not?"
"I expect they have sent all the strong ones up to work on thefortifications."
"Shall we find no one at the negro quarters?" asked the lieutenant withinterest.
"Only the women and the old hands, too old to do much work."
"Can you make out where you are, Mike?" inquired Mr. Pennant, afterabout half a mile had been made.
"I can just see the fort and the big house. It is not so very darkto-night," answered the Russian.
The course was believed to be correct for the point indicated by thecaptain, and in less than half an hour the boat grounded; but the shorewas bold enough to enable the men to land. Mr. Pennant went to theforward part of the boat and took a careful look all around him. All wasas silent as a tomb. Stepping into the fore-sheets, he leaped on shore,directing the Russian to follow him.
"Vincent, you will remain in charge of the boat and the men," said thethird lieutenant, addressing the quartermaster. "I will explore theisland with Mike. I have the fireworks with me, and you will keep asharp lookout in the direction of the fort. If you see a light close tothe water, make for it as fast as you can. Do you understand me?"
"Perfectly, Mr. Pennant."
"But you need not expect any signal for a couple of hours, or eventhree. If we get into trouble, we shall retreat upon the boat direct;so keep your eyes wide open."
The officer led the way up the shore, and the rows of sugar-caneextended almost to the water. They could make out the little village ofnegro cabins which lay between them and the planter's house, and theydirected their steps towards it. It was but a short walk, and they soonreached the lane that extended between the rows of huts.
The lieutenant took his two revolvers from his hip pockets, and examinedthem as well as he could in the dark, and Mike did the same, for it wasnecessary to be prepared for whatever might happen. The village was assilent as though it were entirely deserted; but it was nearly midnight,and doubtless they were asleep in the cabins. They entered one. It wasstill and dark within the house. Mr. Pennant had brought with him asmall lantern, which he lighted where the glare of the match could notbe seen; but it revealed nothing to the inquirers.
Covering the lantern so that its light could not be seen, they followedthe lane between the two rows of cabins for some distance farther, andthen entered another. Like the first, it was deserted. They crossed tothe other side of the avenue, where they saw some signs that the cabinwas inhabited. Uncovering his lantern, Mr. Pennant threw the light uponthe interior. It contained two beds, and each of them was occupied bytwo persons. In one were two silvered heads to be seen, while the otherdisplayed two heads that appeared to belong to women.
"Shut the door, Mike," said the officer, in order to prevent the lightfrom being seen.
"I think I know one of the old men," added the Russian as he returnedfrom the door, "Shall I wake him up?"
"Yes; but don't frighten him," replied Mr. Pennant.
"Uncle Job," said Mike, placing his hand on the shoulder of the sleeperon the side of the bed nearest to him.
The head and hair of the old colored man were peculiar enough to enablethe Russian to identify him if he had ever seen him even once before.His mouth was twisted to one side either naturally or by some injury,and his kinky hair made him look as though he carried a great bale ofcotton on the top of his head. He opened his eyes when Mike shook himgently, and looked at the two men at the side of his bed with awondering rather than an alarmed expression.
"Who dar?" inquired the negro.
"Good-morning, Uncle Job," replied Mike, taking the hand of the agedcolored person. "How is your health?"
"Don't hab no healf, massa," replied Job, gazing earnestly at theintruder upon his slumbers.
"Don't you know me, Uncle Job?"
"'Pears like I do; I reckon you's Massa Cap'n Flanger."
"Not exactly; but I'm his man, Mike Bornhoff."
"Jes' so; you was born ob de debbil," replied the old negro, rising inhis bed, and showing all his remaining teeth in an expansive smile.
"He remembers me," said Mike turning to the lieutenant. "We have struckthe right man. But he don't mean that I am any wickeder than the rest ofthe world. I used to be called here by my last name, and Job inventedthe pun he has just used."
"Why do you say that we have struck the right man, Mike?" asked Mr.Pennant, caring little for the former relations of the two men.
"Because, though he don't look it, he is the best posted nigger in theseparts. He is the wise man among his people, and a sort of leader amongthem, and fetich man besides."
"All right; get him up if you can. Is he able to walk?"
"He is as tough as a he-bear, a
nd can walk a hundred miles on astretch," replied Mike. "He knows everything that is going on in thesetimes."
The lieutenant had covered his lantern, for he did not wish to wake theother sleepers in the cabin, after the description the Russian had givenof his man. Mike spoke in a low tone to him, and it did not take himlong to make his toilet, for he slept just as he was clothed duringthe day. No one knew how old he was, but he was still brisk in hismovements. The officer led the way to one of the deserted cabins at aconsiderable distance from the one occupied by Uncle Job.
No one was stirring in the vicinity, and the silence was as profoundas death itself. Not a word was said till they reached the cabin theofficer had selected, and when they had entered, he closed the doorbehind them. The lantern was unveiled, and the lieutenant seated himselfupon a block of timber, of which there were several in the room.
"Now, Uncle Job, I want you to answer some questions," Mr. Pennantbegan.
"'Pose I don't answer 'em?" suggested the negro.
"Then I shall put you in irons, and take you on board of the steamer,"added the officer sternly.
"De steamer! wot's de steamer? Is't a Yankee gumboat?" demanded UncleJob, opening his eyes with wonder and astonishment.
"That's just what it is."
"Den I gib you all de answers you want," replied the negro with acheerful smile. "Whar de gumboat?"
"She is off the shore not far from here. Now you will answer myquestions. There is a fort here?"
"Yes, sar; ober dar," he replied, pointing to the west.
"How many men are there at the fort?"
"Only twenty, sar; all gone ober to New Orleans, sar."
"How many guns has it? I mean big guns, Uncle Job?"
"I done count only four ob dem w'en I was dar last time."
"Only four!" exclaimed Mr. Pennant. "Are you telling me the truth, UncleJob?"
"I neber spoke noffin but the truf, Massa Ossifer."
"Are those four very large,--long as this cabin is wide?" asked thelieutenant with interest.
"No, sar!" exclaimed Job with energy.
"But they must have had very big guns."
"Yes, sar; but dey done tote 'em all ober to de Mis'sip Riber."
This seemed to be reasonable to the lieutenant, and in accordancewith the belief of his superiors on board of the Bronx, for no Unionman-of-war of any size could pass through the water courses to the greatriver. It looked as though the big guns had been replaced with those ofsmaller calibre.
Mr. Pennant put out the light in his lantern, and the party started tocross the island.