I wished for the light that I might see Jack’s face, for his voice began to have an odd ring about it. Then I said, “What can he want with us, Jack?” “I don’t know,” he said, “but I made a study of his face just now. I’m not much on—what do you call it?—physiognomy? but that beggar’s face told me a story.” “What was the story?” “Well, that he knows we are coming, and that he wants us, and that he is going to make use of us. What are we going to do?” “We will go straight up to him and ask him to help us.” “Very well,” Jack said. “Rest, and a guide, and food, and fire. And what story shall we tell him of ourselves?” “We will tell him the truth,” said I. “And shame the devil,” said he, with another uncomfortable chuckle. “What language shall I try him with?” said I. “Bet you a pound he knows English,” said Jack. “Oh, that’s the sort of devil you think he is; very well, I’ll take your bet, though I dare say you are right enough.” I declare, although I knew very well what ruffians outlawed Englishmen are apt to be, I felt quite light-hearted as I thought that perhaps after all the men we were going to meet might be no worse than such. “Come on,” I said, and we walked straight to the light. I pulled aside the rustic frame, which came with my hand quite easily; then I walked straight through, Jack following me closely. The strange leader saw us at once, stood still, and looked at us. We walked forward and saluted him. I felt at the moment that Jack was right, that he knew that we were coming, although he wore an air of surprise, interested and self-possessed. I thought at the very first, “After all, he looks noble.” But almost immediately I changed the word “noble” for “very strong.” He spoke to us in English. I looked at Jack, who smiled grimly and whispered, “Lost, old man.” The strange leader said, “Who are you, and whence do you come?” He spoke perfectly, quite perfectly, and in a commanding and confident tone. But there was a something, I know not what, about his accent, which told me that he was speaking a language foreign to him, and then and afterwards I noticed also that he did not use the conversational idiomatic English of any of those who speak English as their mother tongue. “We are Englishmen,” I said, “and we come from the eastward. We went among the blacks and they left us, and we do not know our way. Can you give us food and clothes, and guide us to the nearest English settlement?” “I can give you both food and clothes,” he said; “about guidance we shall speak farther when you have made up your mind whither your purpose is to go.” I was about to thank him when I suddenly noticed the aspect of his men. They were looking at us eagerly, and it seemed as if they were waiting for some expected word of command. I could not help thinking that they were about to spring upon us, and I put my hand instinctively to the pocket where I kept my pistol.