THE AMERICANS AND THE ABORIGINES. 399 



the gunwale, across which he lay more dead than 

 alive. 



" Lay hold of him," said Hodges to the negro. 

 "Ah, Pompey not such dam' fool Pompey lub 

 massa too much. The others don't row. Look, 

 massa, they only wait to kill massa." 



" Hark ye ! " cried Hodges to the Mexicans, at the 

 same time giving the nearest to him a blow with his 

 oar "the first who leaves off rowing you under- 

 stand me?" 



The boat rocked on the huge sheet of water, in the 

 midst of the floating trees, menaced each moment with 

 destruction from the latter, or with being swallowed 

 up by the troubled and impetuous stream ; the Mexi- 

 cans cowered upon their benches thirst of blood, and 

 rage, suppressed only by fear, gleaming in their black 

 rolling eyes and ferocious countenances. The negro 

 now twisted the boat-rope round the body of the 

 rescued man, who, still groaning and imploring mercy, 

 was dragged on board. 



" Ah, massa ! Miguel good swimmer ; bath not 

 hurt him, massa," mumbled the restless black. 

 " Massa not forget to take his oar with him out of 

 the boat," 



"And Pompey not forget to handle his own a 

 little more diligently," was the reply of Hodges. 



For a time the negro obeyed the injunction, and 

 then looked at the young Englishman, who appeared 

 to listen attentively to some distant sound. 

 VOL. in. 2 c 



