"Do as you please, but I am persuaded that you are wrong in reckoning on the success of the commission I have undertaken."
"Well, you will see; at any rate mention it to the Señora. Ah! By the way, one word more, mind, no treachery."
The young man did not condescend a reply: he shrugged his shoulders disdainfully, leaped on his horse, and galloped off in the direction of the hatto, closely followed by the Major-domo.
On getting some distance away, he looked back: the ajoupa was already finished, and, as L'Olonnais had said, the two buccaneers were busily engaged in establishing their boucan, without paying any more attention to the Spaniards, who were doubtless prowling about the neighbourhood, than if they had been five hundred leagues from any habitation.
Then he continued to advance thoughtfully in the direction of the hatto.
"Well, Excellency," the Major-domo said presently, "you have seen the ladrones, what do you think of them now?"
"They are rough men," he said, shaking his head sadly, "possessing brutal and indomitable natures, but relatively frank and honest, at least from their point of view."
"Yes, yes, you are right, Excellency; and thus they gain more ground every day, and if they were left alone, I am afraid that the whole island would soon belong to them."
"Oh, we have not reached that point yet," he said with a smile.
"Pardon me, Excellency, for asking you the question, but do you intend to inform the Señora of this meeting?"