Now it could be told from the expression on the black faces that all believed they were about to hear some wonderful revelation, and after a certain length of time, probably made as long as possible in order to render his words the more impressive, the old man began to speak, slowly at first, but increasing in vehemence until it sounded more like the snarl of an angry animal than the result of a human voice.
He spoke in a language which Jenkins did not understand, but, under the circumstances, it was not difficult to fancy the long harangue had especial reference to the prisoners.
During at least fifteen minutes he continued in the most impassioned strain, and then ensued the same scene the mate had witnessed near the beach.
All present began the apparently meaningless dance and song around the fires, and Jenkins, thinking he had seen enough of this mummery, made his way back to those whom he knew were awaiting his return.
There was no thought of gathering wood as he crept cautiously through the passage, and when he reached the place allotted to the prisoners, all was dark and still.
“Are you here, boys?” he asked, in a low tone.
“Yes, you almost stepped on us. What are they doing over there? We heard the same kind of a chant that attracted our attention when we landed to begin this foolish trip which has ended so disastrously.”
“They are cutting those silly capers over again. This is what I saw.”
Then Jenkins gave a detailed account of all that had taken place in the chamber, from the time of his arrival, and when he had finished, Gil asked:
“I reckon Andy could tell you, for there can be no doubt but that these are a lot of voudoo worshipers, and the fellow with the knife must be a priest, or something of that kind.”
“Do you suppose they could know that we were in search of pirates’ treasure?” Nelse asked.
“Not unless some of them understand English, and heard us talking when we came ashore this morning.”
“That might be,” Gil said, half to himself; “but so long as we hadn’t found any, I can’t imagine why we should have been made prisoners.”
“Perhaps it was because we saw them at their dances,” Nelse suggested.
To Gil this did not seem a very plausible explanation, but since he could advance nothing better, it was accepted as the true reason.