"
As the man rose to go, Jim plucked up enough courage to ask,--
"Will you be kind enough to let me know where we are going, and why it is
you make a prisoner of me?"
"Since you have behaved so well I suppose I might as well do so."
Hornblower opened his mouth to impart the information, when he changed his
mind and shook his head.
"It is scarcely best at present; good-evening."
As there seemed to be no objection to following him on deck, Jim did so,
much disappointed that he did not secure the information which was almost
his.
Hornblower stepped down into a boat and rowed off toward shore, leaving
the huge negro behind. It had become so dark that the boat, with its
single occupant, speedily faded from view in the night, though the sound
of the regularly swaying oars came back distinctly across the water until
shore was reached.
Jim was glad that the African, whom he heard addressed as Sam, was left
behind. He saw he was a good-natured fellow, and he believed he would be
able to gain something from him.
After supper was eaten, the schooner hoisted anchor and moved several
miles up the river, when it again lay to for the night.
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