The engagé went out. "What do you want with this man?" the Spaniard asked with a shade of anxiety, which did not escape the adventurer's sharp eye. "This Indian is simply intended to be your guard of honour," he said. "Hum! It really seems as if you are anxious to keep me." "Extremely so, señor." At this moment, the engagé returned followed by the Carib, who had made no change in his primitive costume; but had taken advantage of Montbarts' permission to arm himself to the teeth. "Omopoua and you, my friend, listen attentively to what I am going to say to you; you see this man?" he said pointing to the Spaniard who was still perfectly impassive. "We see him," they answered. "You will take him on board the lugger and hand him over to my mate, Michael the Basque, recommending him to watch over his guest most attentively! If, during the passage from here to the vessel, this man attempts to take to flight, blow out his brains without mercy. Have you understood me thoroughly?" "Yes," said the engagé, "trust to us, we answer for him with our heads." "That is well, I accept your word; and now, sir," he added, addressing Don Antonio, "be good enough to follow these two men." "I yield to force, sir." "Very good, that is how I regard the matter, but reassure yourself, your captivity will be neither harsh nor long, and I shall keep the promises I have made you, if you keep yours. Now, go and farewell for the present." The Spaniard, without replying, placed himself between his two keepers voluntarily and left the room. Montbarts remained alone. CHAPTER XVI. THE SLAVE SALE. A moment after Montbarts rose, put on his cloak, which he had thrown on a chair when he came in, and prepared to quit the house. On the threshold he found himself face to face with Captain Drake. "Ah," said the latter, "here you are." "Yes! I have been breakfasting at your house." "You did well." "Will you accompany me to the sale?" "I do not want any hired man." "Nor I, but you know the enlistment will commence immediately afterwards." "That is true; let me say a word first to my engagé, and I will follow you." "He has gone out." "Why! I ordered him not to leave the house." "I have given him a commission." "Oh! That is different." "You do not ask me what the commission is I have given your engagé," Montbarts remarked a moment later. "Why should I? It does not concern me, I suppose." "More than you imagine, brother." "Nonsense, how so?" "You offered hospitality to a stranger, did you not?" "Yes, but what of that?" "You shall see. This stranger, whom you do not know, for of course you do not--" "No more than Adam; what do I care who he is? hospitality is one of those things which cannot be refused." "That is true, but I recognized the man." "Ah, ah, and who is he then?" "Nothing less than a Spanish spy, brother." "My God!" the captain said, stopping dead short. "What is the matter with you now?"