For the destruction of the boat there was reason enough: the captain of the Rackbirds gave his men no chance to get away from him.
With a heart of lead, Captain Horn turned to look at his negro companions, and saw them all sitting together on the sands, chattering earnestly, and holding up their hands with one or more fingers extended, as if they were counting.

Cheditafa came forward.
"When all your men go away from you ?" he asked.
The captain reflected a moment, and then answered, "About two weeks ago." "That's right! That's right!" exclaimed the negro, nodding violently as he spoke.

"We talk about that.

We count days.

It's just ten days and three days, and Rackbirds go 'way, and leave us high up in rock-hole, with no ladder.