“Listen, Hadji, you can have presently your part in a brilliant combat, or remain spectator. You must go out with the chebec to join the black galley of the Commander des Anbiez. The speed of your vessel is superior to that of all the galleys. You will hoist the black flag and allure the commander into this road.” “I understand, captain.” “You understand me, Hadji! The culverin of Mai-son-Forte has done such damage to our water-line and other parts of the ship that it will be several days before she is repaired sufficiently to put to sea, but we could in a few hours put her in a state to sustain a battle at anchor, and few such battles have been as you will see, Hadji, if you lead the black galley into this bay! If you wish to preserve the chebec which belongs to me, do not enter the bay, Hadji, for as soon as the black galley once sees the _Red Galleon_, she will hardly think of pursuing you. Then you can set sail to the south. I give you the chebec and slaves, Hadji.” “It is not for the sake of possessing the chebec that I will do as you wish me to do,” replied Hadji, with sullen pride. “Who could have prevented my profiting from the offers of Erebus? Who now could prevent my saying I consent to what you wish, and then setting sail to the south, instead of going out to sea after the black galley? I will lead the commander’s ship here to you, and I will take part in the battle, because it pleases me, because, notwithstanding your calm appearance, a terrible tempest has gathered in your soul, which I wish to see burst forth. I am of an inquisitive turn of mind, captain.” “Ah, by the wrath of Heaven, whose instrument I am, you will see a beautiful storm let loose, if you return!” “And I shall return, captain.” “Above all, say nothing to Trimalcyon of my plan; that fat brute, once under fire, will do his duty in spite of himself.” “Make yourself easy, captain, before an hour the black galley will be in pursuit of me around this point.” “And then--and then,” said Pog, talking to himself with a solemn, inspired air,--“then this bay, now so peaceful, will behold one of the greatest tragedies,--a tragedy whose very memory will terrify humanity for generations.” “I am going, and I shall return with Erebus, captain,” said Hadji. He disappeared. Pog knelt down and prayed. CHAPTER XXXVII. THE INTERVIEW While the Bohemian was on board the Red Galleon Erebus, now virtually considered a prisoner, shared the cabin of the chebec with Reine and Stephanette. Notwithstanding her anger, notwithstanding her fright, notwithstanding her keen anxiety concerning the fate of her father, Mlle. des Anbiez could not remain insensible to the despair of Erebus. He reproached himself so bitterly for her abduction, and had done so much to obtain from the Bohemian both her liberty and that of Stephanette, that she could not stifle every emotion of pity that rose in her heart.