Пятнадцатилетний капитан / Dick Sand. A Captain at Fifteen. Уровень 2

“But they are not dead,” cried Dick eagerly; “they are not dead; we will save them!”

“What’s the matter with them?” asked Cousin Benedict, with utter bewilderment.

“We’ll hear all about them soon,” said the captain, smiling; “but first we will give them a few drops of rum.”

Cousin Benedict smiled in return.

“Negoro!” shouted the captain.

At the sound of the name, the dog growled fiercely, and showed its teeth. The cook did not answer.

“Negoro!” again the captain shouted, and the dog became yet more angry.

Negoro slowly left his kitchen. He showed his face upon the deck. The animal made a rush at him, and wanted to seize him by the throat. The man knocked the animal back with a poker which he had in his hand.

“Do you know this dog?” asked the captain.

“Know him? No!”

“Strange!” muttered Dick to himself; “there is some mystery here.”

Chapter IV

The Survivors of the “Waldeck”

The slave-trade[11 - slave-trade – работорговля] is still extensively carried on in all parts of equatorial Africa.

Captain Hull knew that very well. He thought that the negroes were the part of a slave-cargo which was on its way to some colony of the Pacific. And he wanted to announce that they regained their freedom on board the “Pilgrim.

Mrs. Weldon, assisted by Nan and Dick Sand, was doing everything in her power to restore consciousness to the poor sufferers. Fresh water and some food soon helped them. The eldest of them was a man of about sixty years of age. When he regained his powers of speech, he was able to reply in good English to all the questions. In answer to Captain Hull’s inquiry whether they were not slaves, the old negro proudly stated that he and his companions were all free American Citizens from the state of Pennsylvania.

This old man communicated all the information that Captain Hull required to hear, and he related all the details of his adventures.

He said that his name was Tom. When was only six years of age he was brought from his home in Africa to the United States; but he recovered his freedom. His companions, who were all much younger than himself, were all free-born.