He had not long to wait. In less than twenty minutes, a whistle was heard--to which Bon Pre responded, in the notes of an owl. The sound of voices followed, and, after a little interval, one by one, seven persons ascended the knoll, and entered the area which was already partially occupied by Bon Pre. There were few preliminaries, and Le Genré opened the business. Bon Pre, it is seen, was one of the conspirators and in their fullest confidence. He had left the fort before them, or had pretended to do so. They had each left at different periods. We have seen his route. It is only necessary to add, that they had come together but a little while before their junction at the knoll. Of course, their several revelations had yet to be made. Le Genré commenced by relating his ill success in regard to the vessel. "We must have it, at all hazards," said Stephen Le Genevois, "we can do nothing without it." "I do not see that;" was the reply of Jean La Roquette. This person, it may be well to say, was one possessing large influence among the conspirators. He claimed to be a magician, dealt much in predictions, consulted the stars, and other signs, as well of earth as of heaven; and, among other things, pretended, by reason of his art, to know where, at no great distance, was a mine of silver, the richest in the world. Almost his sole reason for linking himself with the conspirators, was the contempt with which his pretensions had been treated by his commander, in regard to the search after this mine. "I do not see," he replied, "that this vessel is so necessary to us. A few canoes will serve us better." "Canoes--for what?" was the demand of Le Genevois. "Why, for ascending the rivers, for avoiding the fatigue of land travel, for bringing down our bullion." "Pshaw! You are at your silver mine again; but that is slow work. I prefer that which the Spaniard has already gathered; which he has run into solid bars and made ready for the king's face. I prefer fighting for my silver, to digging for it." "Ay! fighting--no digging;" said Le Genré and he was echoed by other voices. But La Roquette was not to be silenced. His opinions were re-stated and insisted upon with no small vehemence, and the controversy grew warm as to the future course of the party--whether they should explore the land for silver ore, or the Spanish seas for bullion.