The Count walked several times up and down the saloon, suffering from intense agitation, appearing to have completely forgotten the presence of the spy, muttering unconnected words, breaking out into passionate gestures, and in all probability revolving in his head sinister projects of vengeance. At length he stopped and addressed the spy again. "Withdraw," he said to him, "but do not leave the palace; or, stay, wait a moment." Seizing a bell on the table, he rang it violently. A valet appeared. "A corporal and four men," he said. The spy shrugged his shoulders. "Why all these precautions, my lord?" he asked; "is it not contrary to my interest to go away?" The Count examined him for a moment attentively, and then made the valet a sign to withdraw. "Very good," he then said, "I trust to you, Don Antonio de la Ronda. Await my orders, I shall soon have need of you." "I shall not go away far, my lord." And after bowing respectfully, he took his leave, and withdrew. The Count, when left alone, gave way for some minutes to all the violence of a rage so long restrained, but he gradually regained his coolness and the power of reflection. "Oh! I will avenge myself!" he exclaimed. Then he gave, with feverish activity, the necessary orders that numerous bodies of troops should be sent off to different points, so as to completely invest the hatto del Rincón, to which spot two Fifties were sent, commanded by experienced and resolute officers. These measures taken, the Count, wrapped in a large cloak, mounted his horse an hour after sunset, and followed by Don Antonio de la Ronda, who had not the slightest desire to leave him, and a few confidential officers, he left his palace incognito, rode through the town unrecognized, and reached the open country. "Now, caballeros," he said in a hollow voice, "gallop your hardest, and do not be afraid of foundering your horses. Relays are prepared at regular distances along the road." He dug his spurs into the flanks of his horse, which snorted with pain, and the party set out with the headlong speed of a whirlwind. "Ah, Santiago! Santiago;" the Count exclaimed at times while urging on his steed, whose efforts were superhuman, "shall I arrive in time?" CHAPTER XXIV. PORT MARGOT. We will now return to the filibustering flotilla, which we left sailing freely toward the great North Key, a rendezvous admirably selected, owing to its proximity to Saint Domingo, and exactly facing the island of the Tortoise.