The buccaneer shook his head several times.
"You do not understand," he said; "I had several motives for acting thus. In the first place, however brave you may suppose your countrymen to be, they are now demoralised, and it will be very difficult to restore them the courage they no longer possess; on the other hand, I was not sorry to see clearly around me, and sweep the savannah a little, and lastly," he added, with a cunning look, "who told you that the fire I lighted was not a signal?"
"A signal?" Don Sancho exclaimed; "Then you have friends near here?"
"Who knows? Señor, my companions are very active, and are frequently met with when least expected."
"I confess that I do not understand a word of what you are saying to me."
"Patience, Señor, patience! You will soon understand, I assure you, and will not require any great effort of the intellect to do so. L'Olonnais," he added, turning to his comrade, "I think you had better go down there now."
"That is true," L'Olonnais replied, as he carelessly threw his fusil over his shoulder, "he will be expecting me."
"Take some of the dogs with you."
"What for?"
"To guide you, my lad; it is not easy now to find one's way through the ashes, for all the trails are covered."