"Poison, you villain!" the captain shouted violently.
"Poison!" he exclaimed, raising his eyes and arms to heaven. "Could it be possible? Oh, let us see!"
He examined the glass with feigned attention.
"It is true," he said after a moment. "Por Dios, what inadvertence!"
The word appeared so precious to the Frenchmen that, in spite of their anger and alarm, they could not prevent it, but burst into a loud laugh. The little doctor took advantage of this attack of gaiety to escape very quietly, and could never be found again, though carefully sought for: he had probably left the city.
Thanks to the intelligent and affectionate care of the surgeon, however, the effects of the poison were neutralised. The count felt a little better, and gave orders that the company should assemble at once in the patio of the Cabildo. The command was rapidly obeyed, and within an hour the company was drawn up under arms in the courtyard. The count came down, leaning on the arm of Captain de Laville.
"My comrades," he said, "I am ill, as you can see. Still I have called you together to inform you of an engagement I have made in your name with the inhabitants of Hermosillo. I declared that even if you walked over piles of piastres and ounces, you would not stoop down to pick them up. Was I wrong?"
"No," they all exclaimed; "you were quite right."
"We are no pirates, whatever they may say," the count continued, "and the hour has arrived to prove it."
"We will do so."