For a moment he thought of laying an ambush in the straits of Nevis and St. Eustache, the two islands between which St. Kitts is situated, capturing the Spanish vessel, and obtaining by torture the information the monk had refused to give him. But he gave up this plan almost immediately; he had pledged his word of honour, and would not break it for anything in the world. In the meanwhile, night had set in, and the canoe was still advancing. Montbarts steered for the lugger, which was anchored a short distance from land. When the light boat was under the vessel's counter, the filibuster made his engagé a sign to lay on his oars, and shouted in a loud voice-- "Lugger, ahoy!" At once, a man whose black outline was designed on the dark blue horizon, leant over. "Boat ahoy!" he shouted. "Is that you, Bowline?" Montbarts continued. "All right." "Is Michael aboard?" "Yes, admiral." "Ah, you have recognised me, my lad?" "Of course," said the Breton. "I suppose you are watching over my prisoner?" "I answer for him." "But do not annoy him unnecessarily." "All right, admiral, we will be gentle with him." "Is Omopoua aboard at this moment?" "Here I am, master," a second voice immediately replied. "Ah, ah," the filibuster said with satisfaction, "all the better. I want you--come ashore." "Are you in a hurry, master?" "A great hurry." "In that case, wait a moment." And ere the filibuster could guess the Carib's intention, the noise of a body falling in the water could be heard, and two or three minutes later the Indian rested his hands on the gunwale of the canoe. "Here I am," he said. Montbarts could not refrain from smiling on seeing with what promptitude the savage obeyed his orders. He held out his hand, and helped him to get into the boat. "Why such a hurry?" he said to him in a tone of friendly reproach. The Indian shook himself like a drowned poodle. "Nonsense," he said, "I am all right." "Have you got the Indian?" Bowline asked. "Yes: now good night; you will see me tomorrow." "Tomorrow?" "Pull," the filibuster said to the engagé. The latter dipped his paddles, and the canoe resumed its course. Ten minutes later, it ran aground at the very spot where Montbarts had seized it for the purpose of going to Nevis. The three men landed on the beach, pulled up the canoe, and went off in the direction of the hatto. They passed through the town and a swarm of filibusters, who were celebrating by songs, shouts, and libations their last hours of liberty. They went on in silence. When the three men reached the hatto, Montbarts lit a candle, and searched the house with the greatest care, to make sure that no stranger was present; then he returned to his two comrades, who were waiting for him in the Esplanade. "Come in," he merely said to them. They followed him. Montbarts sat down in a chair, and then turned to the Carib. "I have to talk with you, Omopoua," he said.