human
We hab dem dis time, sure enough, captain.
gpt
Why, is that you, Jim? You quite startled me. Well, what is your news?
human
De black fellows and de sheep are a little over a mile away, sah. Dey got a big fire down in a bottom. Some of dem eating still, but most of dem fast asleep round de fire.
gpt
How many are there of them?
human
About fifty, sah--at least, dat about the number Jim saw. I expect I was right when I tell you dat there was well nigh a hundred, at fust. Some ob them go off wid de sheep, de odder way, and we kill over twenty in dat fight.
gpt
Do you think we killed so many as that, Jim?
human
I went round, sah, and counted sixteen of dem; and some sure to have crawl away and die in de bush. Dere were over twenty killed altogether, for sure; and I specks dat some more hab left de party today, and gone off wid dere share of de sheep to der people.
gpt
Well, what do you think, Mr. Blount--shall we attack them tonight, or wait till morning?
human
I should say wait till morning, certainly, the settler said.
gpt
We might shoot a few if we attack them now, but the rest would be all off, at the first flash of our gun; and we should never get another shot. I think our best plan would be to remain where we are, for another couple of hours--it is two o'clock now--then Jim will guide us to the place, and we can take up our position as close as we can get, and wait for daylight.
human
There is no fear of their making a move before it is light, Jim?
gpt
No, sah. Dey tink dey am safe now, and eat one big feast. Dey not move till light, sartain.