"Gossifus! What you gwine to do? 'Pose you see de nigger hunter, wid tree, four dozen bloodhounds: wha--wha--what you gwine to do den?" "I'm going to fight! And you must do the same!" replied Dan, with energy, as he grasped one of the fowling-pieces that lay upon the bunk. "Gwine to fight!" cried Cyd, opening his eyes with astonishment. "Gwine to kill de dogs and kill de men?" "That's what I mean. I will shoot man or dog that attempts to touch me." "Wha--wha--wha--" stammered Cyd, as he always did when excited; but the idea was too big for him just then, and he broke down altogether. "That's a settled point, and you must learn to use a gun." "Woo--woo--woo--would you shoot Massa Kun'l, if he come for to take you?" demanded Cyd. "I would, or any other man. I belong to myself now, and I will fight for my own freedom to the last." "I dunno 'bout dat, Dan," mused Cyd. "Hossifus! Shoot Massa Kun'l! Dunno 'bout dat." "Turn in, Cyd, and go to sleep. You may have the first chance." The two boys drew lots for the choice of berths, and Dan obtained the after one. Cyd was soon snoring in one of the forward bunks, while Dan took his place upon deck to guard against the approach of man or beast that might threaten their newly-acquired freedom. CHAPTER XI. THE BAY OF THE BLOODHOUNDS. Dan had his solitary watch for four hours, with nothing to disturb his meditations except the occasional visit of an alligator; but as the ugly reptiles did not offer to swallow the boat, or otherwise interfere with her, the lonely sentinel did not even challenge the intruders. He was very sleepy, for he had not closed his eyes during the preceding night, and his great purpose had sadly interfered with his slumbers since the time for its execution had been fixed. It was one o'clock when he called the "watch below." Lily was still wrapped in slumber, worn out by her sleepless night, and by the excitement of her novel position. After charging Cyd to keep awake, assuring him that "eternal vigilance was the price of liberty," Dan went into the cabin to obtain the rest he so much needed. He slept soundly, and, no doubt, dreamed strange things; but when he awoke it was nearly dark. Starting up with a spring, he bounded to the deck, where he found Cyd fast asleep upon the cushions of the standing room. "Cyd!" exclaimed he, seizing the faithless sentinel by the collar. "Is this the way you keep watch?" "Possifus!" ejaculated Cyd, as he sprang to his feet. "I done been asleep." "Been asleep! I should think you had! Have you been snoring there all the afternoon?" "No, _sar_! Dis chile hain't been asleep more'n two minutes--no, sar, nor more'n a minute and a half." "Yes, you have; you have been asleep all the afternoon. You deserve to be a slave all the rest of your life!" added Dan, indignantly. "Gossifus! I tink not. Wha--wha--wha--what does you mean by dat?" stuttered Cyd. "How dared you go to sleep when you were on watch?"