They ran thus for some time without exchanging a word. They had left the ships far behind them, and passed out of the roads.
"Do you speak Spanish?" Montbarts suddenly asked the engagé.
"Like a native of Old Castile," the other answered.
"Ah! Ah!" said Montbarts.
"It is easy to understand," the Olonnais continued. "I went whaling with the Basques and Bayonnese, and for several years smuggled along the Spanish coast."
"And do you like the Spaniards?"
"No!" the other answered, with a frown.
"You have a motive, of course?"
"I have one."
"Will you tell it me?"