"And since your installation at the hatto I presume nothing extraordinary has occurred?"
"Yes, Excellency, something has happened, and that is why I told you at the beginning that I alone knew the event which had modified my mistress's mode of living. One of the ladrones had a very long interview with her before they left her, an interview I saw, too far off to hear what was said, it is true, but near enough to judge of the interest she felt in it, and the impression it produced on her, for I had followed my mistress, resolved not to abandon her, and help her, were it necessary, at the risk of my life."
"That is the behaviour of a good servant, Birbomono, and I thank you for it."
"I only did my duty, Excellency; so soon as the ladrones left her alone I approached my mistress, and escorted her back to the town. A few days after our arrival here my mistress dressed herself in man's clothes, left the hatto unseen, only followed by myself and Fray Arsenio, who had refused to leave her, and led us to a secluded bay on the coast, where one of the ladrones was awaiting us. This man had another long conversation with my mistress, then, bidding us get into a canoe, he took us to a Spanish brigantine, tacking in sight of the coast. I afterwards learnt that this brigantine had been freighted by Fray Arsenio by my mistress's orders. So soon as we were on board this vessel, sail was set, and we put out to sea; the ladrón had returned ashore in the canoe."
"Nonsense!" the young man violently interjected; "What fables are you telling me, Birbomono?"
"Excellency, I am only telling you the truth you asked of me, without adding or omitting anything."
"Well, I am willing to believe you, incredible though the whole affair appears."
"Shall I break off here, Excellency, or continue my narration?"
"Go on, in the Fiend's name! Perhaps some light will eventually issue from all this chaos."
"Our brigantine began tacking between the islands, at a great risk of being snapped up as it passed by the ladrones; but, through some incomprehensible miracle, it succeeded in passing unseen, so that in eight days it reached an island in the form of a mountain, called Nevis, I believe, and only separated by a narrow channel from St. Kitts."