The enlistment began; Michael the Basque had seated himself at the table previously occupied by the Company's agent, and wrote down the names of the adventurers, who pressed round him in a crowd, and who all wished to join in an expedition which they foresaw would be most lucrative. But Michael had received strict instructions from his master: convinced that he should not want for men, and that more would offer than he needed, he carefully selected those whose names he took, and pitilessly rejected those adventurers whose reputation for, we will not say bravery, for all were brave as lions, but for reckless daring, was not thoroughly established. Still in spite of Michael's intended strictness, the number of three hundred was soon complete. We need scarce say they were the flower of the filibusters, all adventurers, the least renowned of whom had performed deeds of incredible daring, men with whom attempting impossibilities and achieving them had become but mere child's play. The first inserted were, as had been agreed on the preceding night, the members of the society of the Twelve. Hence M. de Fontenay, who, an old filibuster himself, knew all these men, not only by reputation, but from having seen them at work, could not recover from his surprise, and incessantly repeated to Montbarts, who was standing, calm and smiling at his side, "What can you be after? Do you mean to seize on Hispaniola?" "Who knows?" the filibuster replied sportively. "Still, I think I have a right to your confidence," the governor said in an offended tone. "The most entire, Sir; still, you are aware that the first condition of security in an expedition is secrecy." "That is true." "I cannot tell you anything, but do not prevent you from guessing." "Guessing! But how?" "Well, perhaps the charter party will set you on the right track." "Well, let me hear it." "A little patience still; but stay, here is Michael coming toward me. Well," he asked him, "have you completed our number?" "I should think so; I have three hundred and fifty men." "Hang it, that is a great number." "I could not do otherwise than accept them; when it is a question about going with Montbarts, it is impossible to keep them back." "Well, we will take them, if it must be so," Montbarts said with a smile, "give me your list." Michael handed it to him; the filibuster looked round him, and perceived an agent of the Company, whom curiosity had kept back, and who had remained in the shed to witness the enlistment. "You are a Company's agent, I think, sir?" he said to him, politely. "Yes, sir," the agent replied with a bow, "I have that honour." "In that case, may I ask you to do me a service?" "Speak, sir, I shall be only too glad to oblige you."