Chester is just in time to recognize the little Spanish ensign and save his life, as two or three Beggars of the Sea are almost upon him, and in another minute De Busaco would sleep with his fathers.
The instinct of comradeship born in Antwerp is in [[182]]Guy’s heart, and his right arm knocks up two pikes that lunge at the little ensign, he crying to him: “Surrender to me; surrender to me, fool!” For the little Spaniard, with drawn sword, is striving to do his best for himself.
But just at this moment, taking lounge en tierce, the poor little fellow’s legs fly under him and his head goes down with a tremendous crack upon the ice that would stun him were it not for his steel head-piece.
“He’s mine!” says Guy, beating back the swords; “He is my prisoner. Surrender, you idiot Busaco!”
“I yield,” says De Busaco, sullenly. Then he suddenly smiles and cries: “Mon Dieu! Captain Guido Amati! Yes, I surrender to you. What ransom shall I pay to save my life? You’re not going to kill me, are you?”
“No, Busaco, you are safe. Twice you saved my life, and didn’t know it. Now I save yours.”
“Yes,” says the other; “that was curious, wasn’t it? Captain Guido Amati! From the flag flying at your masthead you are now called the First of the English?”
It is a foolish speech and nearly costs him dear, for the Englishman knows that this recognition, if reported at Spanish headquarters, means no more chance of Guido Amati’s interviews with Alva’s daughter. He says: “Yes, the First of the English, but no ransom from you.”
“No ransom,” mutters De Busaco, “I suppose you are going to kill me because I know your secret?”
“No! Swear to me by everything upon this earth you will never recognize me as the First of the English, were I to stand in Alva’s own hall before you. There’s five thousand crowns upon my head; but swear you’ll never know me as First of the English, only as Guido Amati.”