"How many of them were buried in that mound by the church?" I asked
quickly.
"Who told you they were buried there?" he replied, with a start, but
seeing his mistake, went on, "I do not know what you mean. I never
heard of anyone being buried. Sleep well, honoured lords, I must go
and see to the loading of my goods upon the /Maria/." Then rising, he
salaamed and walked, or rather rolled, away.
"So the /Maria/ hasn't sailed after all," I said, and whistled in a
certain fashion. Instantly Hans crept into the room out of the
darkness, for this was my signal to him.
"Hans," I said, "I hear sounds upon that island. Slip down to the
shore and spy out what is happening. No one will see you if you are
careful."
"No, Baas," he answered with a grin, "I do not think that anyone will
see Hans if he is careful, especially at night," and he slid away as
quietly as he had come.
Now I went out and spoke to Mavovo, telling him to keep a good watch
and to be sure that every man had his gun ready, as I thought that
these people were slave-traders and might attack us in the night.
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