“Yes, indeed! signor.”
“The natives forced us to join the expedition, and we escaped.”
“So I heard you say, signor.”
“They lost nearly a thousand men,” said Krantz.
“Holy St. Francis! I am glad of it.”
“They will be careful how they attack Portuguese in a hurry, I expect,” rejoined Krantz.
“I think so,” replied the soldier.
“Did you lose many men?” ventured Philip, perceiving that the man was loquacious.
“Not ten of our own people. In the factory there were about a hundred of the natives, with some women and children; but that is of no consequence.”
“You had a young European woman here, I understand,” said Philip with anxiety; “one who was wrecked in a vessel—was she among those who were lost?”