It chanced that among these last there was a negro who seemed gradually to be sinking, despite the utmost efforts of Hutchinson to save him; and this individual, named M'Pandala, had latterly evinced a disposition to be friendly and communicative to Cupid, our Krooboy, who had been told off for hospital duty in the house occupied by the enemy's wounded; and at length--it was on the tenth day of our occupation of the island, and I was by this time well enough to be out and about again, although still unable to do much on account of my disabled arm--this negro made a certain communication to Cupid which the latter deemed it his duty to pass on to me without loss of time.  Accordingly, on the evening of that day, after Cupid had been relieved--he was on day duty--he sought me out and began--