"Never, never! Did I not tell you he would kill me?" "What is to be done then?" "Fly, fly without delay; at once." "But where shall we go?" "How do I know? To the cliff or the forest, live among the wild beasts sooner than remain any longer here." "Very good, we will go, I know where to take you." "You?" "Yes, did I not tell you that sundry accidents happened to me today while hunting?" "So you did; but what has that to do with it?" "A great deal," he interrupted; "the Major-domo, who accompanied me, and I tumbled over an encampment of filibusters." "Ah," she said, turning paler than she had been before. "Yes, and I intend to conduct you to that encampment; besides, one of the buccaneers entrusted me with a message for you." "What do you mean?" "Exactly what I am saying, sister." She appeared to reflect for an instant, and then turned resolutely to the young man. "Well, be it so, brother, let us go to those men, though they are represented as so cruel; perhaps every human feeling has not been extinguished in their hearts, and they will take pity on me." "When shall we go?" "As speedily as possible." "That is true, but the hatto is probably watched and the soldiers have doubtless secret orders, you may be a prisoner without suspecting it, my poor sister; for what other reason would the two Fifties be here?" "Oh! In that case I am lost." "Perhaps there is one way, and the orders given doubtless only affect you; but unfortunately the journey will be long, fatiguing, and beset with numberless perils." "What matter, brother? I am strong, do not be anxious about me." "Very good, we will try; you are absolutely determined on flight?" "Yes, whatever may befall me." "Well then, we will put our trust in heaven, wait for me a moment." The young man left the room and returned a few minutes later, bearing a rather large bundle under his arm. "Here are my page's clothes, I do not know how they happen to be in my possession, but my valet probably placed them in my portmanteau by mistake, for they are new, and I remember that the tailor brought them home a few minutes before my departure from Saint Domingo, but I thank accident for causing it to be so. Dress yourself, wrap yourself up in a cloak, put this hat on your head, I will answer for everything. Besides, this costume is preferable to your woman's clothes for crossing the savannah; mind and not forget to place these pistols and this dagger in your belt, for there is no knowing what may happen." "Thanks brother! I shall be ready in a quarter of an hour." "Good; during that time I will go and reconnoitre; do not open the door to anyone but me." "You may depend upon me." The young man lit a cigarette and left the apartment with the most careless air he could assume.