“Where did you find him, Otter?” asked Leonard as they crossed the drawbridge.
“In the magazine, Baas, and your gold with him, also many rifles and much powder. He had locked himself up there, but he had not the heart to fire the powder and make an end.”
Pereira did not see them as yet, but raising his head he begged for water.
“Give him blood,” said one of the men sullenly. “He has drunk it all his days, let it be his last drink.”
Leonard motioned to Francisco the priest to bring water, then Pereira saw them and began to pray for mercy.
“Antonio Pereira,” Leonard answered sternly, “last night I and two companions, a woman and a black dwarf, set ourselves a task—to take this armed place of yours and rescue a white girl whom you had condemned to slavery. It did not seem possible that we should do it, but between sunset and sunrise we have done it. Who helped us then?—that we should have carried out this thing which was impossible. I will tell you; God helped us as He helped this lady when she called on Him. Cry to God, then, to do that which is still more impossible—to help you. From me you will have justice and no more.”
For a moment Pereira ceased whining, and a flash of the old ferocity came into his eyes.
“Ah! my friend,” he muttered, “if I had but known!” Then turning to Juanna he said: “My dove, have I not treated you kindly? Will you say no word for me, now that my enemies prevail against me?”
By way of answer Juanna looked first at the human reptile before her, and next at the bosom of her torn dress, now roughly pinned up with the spikes of aloe leaves. Then she turned and went.
“Baas,” said Otter, “may I speak?”