19/19 Then go directly to this Dutchman's, buy every olive he has for sale at any price, load them into a boat--a common huckster's boat, mind you, and remain there with them until I come. Do you understand all that ?" "Yas, Massa; I reckon as how I kin do dat all right 'nough." The fellow grinned, every white ivory showing between his thick red lips. Now trot along lively, and may the Lord have mercy on you if you fail me, for I pledge you I shall have none." I watched him disappear up the street in a sort of swinging dog-trot, took one more glance backward at the huge war-ship, now swinging by her cable silent and mysterious as ever, and turned away from the river front, my brain teeming with a scheme upon the final issue of which hung life or death.. |