At that moment there was a rustling among the leaves outside the window, and Humphrey burst into a mocking laugh. "How brave!" he cried. "The buccaneer captain comes to see his unarmed prisoner, and his guards wait outside the doorway, while another party stop by the window, ready to spring in." The buccaneer's face turned of a deep dull red--the glow of annoyance, as he strode to the window and exclaimed fiercely-- "Why are you here? Go!" "But--" "Go, Bart," said the buccaneer, more quietly. "Captain Armstrong will not injure me." There was a heavy rustling sound among the leaves and the buccaneer made as if to go to the great curtain; but he checked himself, turned, and smiling sadly-- "Captain Armstrong will believe me when I tell him that there is no one out there. Come, sir, you have sent for me. You have thought well upon all I said. All this has been so much angry petulance, and you are ready to take me by the hand--to become my friend. No, no; hear me. You do not think of what your life here may be." "That of a pirate--a murderer!" cried Humphrey, scornfully. "No," said the buccaneer, flushing once more. "I am rich. All that can be a something of the past. This land is mine, and here we can raise up a new nation, for my followers are devoted to me. Come! are we to be friends?" "Friends!" cried Humphrey, scornfully--"a new nation--your people devoted!--why man, I sent for you to warn you!" "You--to warn me?" "Yes. One of your followers is plotting against you. He has been addressing your men; and if you don't take care, my good sir, you will be elevated over your people in a way more lofty than pleasant to the king of a new nation." "I understand your sneers, sir," said the buccaneer, quietly; and there was more sadness than anger in his tone. "They are unworthy of the brave man who has warned me of a coming danger, and they are from your lips, sir, not from the heart of the brave adversary I have vowed to make my friend." Humphrey winced, for the calm reproachful tone roused him, and he stood there frowning as the buccaneer went on. "As to the plotting against me, I am always prepared for that. A man in my position makes many enemies. Even you have yours." "Yes--you," cried Humphrey. "No; I am a friend. There, I thank you for your warning. It is a proof, though you do not know it, that the gap between us grows less. Some day, Captain Armstrong, you will take my hand. We shall be friends." Humphrey remained silent as the buccaneer left the chamber, and, once more alone, the prisoner asked himself if this was true--that he had bidden farewell to civilisation for ever, and this was to be his home, this strange compound of savage fierceness and gentle friendliness his companion to the end? CHAPTER TWENTY NINE. THE ASSASSINS.