“You’ll have to take it out in feeling for a while, because it would be the height of folly to venture away from this place until father comes.”
“Unless what?” Nelse asked, eagerly, as Gil hesitated.
“I fancied for a minute that we might possibly make a trade with these fellows. How would it do to tell them they might go, if their friends would bring us water and food?”
“I reckon they are like almost everybody else, and would do a good deal to save their own lives.”
“That is true, and it couldn’t do any harm to try the scheme, although I don’t believe it will amount to anything; but it’s only fair Jenkins should know what we intend to do.”
“Go up the tunnel, and ask him what he thinks of the plan. I’ll stay here on watch, and if he agrees we can make Andy do the talking.”
Nelse ran into the passage, returning a few moments later, as he said:
“Mr. Jenkins is willing we should try to make the trade; but he don’t believe it can be done.”
“The fellows tumbled into the hole; but there were so many that all but two managed to get out, and the chances are they’ll be more careful in the future.”
“Does Jenkins think there will be another attack?”
“He says they’re bound to starve us out, for it must be known how easily that can be done.”
“Is he holding the two who are in the hole?”
“There’s no need for him to do anything, since the fellows can’t get out, an’ we’ve got such a small number of cartridges that it would be foolish to shoot at men who are unable to do any mischief.”
“Then there’s no reason why we shouldn’t try my plan. Here, Andy, talk to these fellows.”
The old darky came forward very unwillingly, and Gil explained the offer he wanted to make.
“I’se boun’ to tell ’em, honey; but it won’t do the leastest mite ob good.”
“Go ahead, and we’ll soon find out what they think of it. At all events, there’ll be no great amount of harm done.”
Andy did as he was bidden, and after a long conversation, during which it seemed as if both the interpreter and the prisoners had considerable difficulty in understanding what was said, the blacks hailed those on the outside.
Then no slight amount of talking ensued, the men on the surface keeping themselves securely hidden, and at the close Andy was called upon once more to learn the result of the interview.