But in this town, apparently so mean, dirty, and wretched, it was possible to watch the circulation of the life full of sap, vigour, and violence belonging to the strange inhabitants, unique in the world, who formed its heterogeneous population. The narrow gloomy streets were crowded with people of every description and colour, who came and went with a busy air.
There were pothouses at the corner of all the streets and squares, perambulating dealers shouted their goods in a ropy voice, and public criers, followed by a crowd which was swelled at every step by all the idlers, announced with a mighty noise of trumpets and drums, the sale on that very day of the engagés, who had just arrived in a Company's vessel.
Montbarts passed unnoticed through the crowd, and reached the door of Captain Drake's house—a rather handsome looking and cleanly kept house, which stood on the seashore at no great distance from the governor's residence.
The filibuster pushed the door, which, according to the custom of the country, was not locked, and entered the house.
[CHAPTER XV.]
THE SPY.
Montbarts, as we said, walked into the house.
There were two persons in the first room, which was contrived a double debt to pay, as half sitting room, half kitchen.