"But how am I to answer for Zuares, unless he is paid, too?"

"Of course," replied Hawkshaw, utterly bewildered.

The storm so long dreaded had burst upon him at last; and this was all he reaped by the cruel manner in which he had supplanted Morley Ashton.

"Well, the duros?" resumed Pedro, with a scowl, placing his hooked nose instantly within an inch of Hawkshaw's.

"I have no money."

"Maldita!" replied the South American, with a frown, "have you nothing?"

"Absolutely nothing—but this watch."

"Let us see it—presto!" said the impatient Pedro, with an oath that made even Hawkshaw shudder.

Turning his back to the quarter-deck, the latter drew from his vest pocket, with a sullen, humiliated, and hang-dog aspect, a handsome gold watch.

"Muchos gratias," said the mocking Barradas, with a grin, as he snatched it away with such force as to snap the guard; and then he thrust it into one of the pockets of his tarry trowsers, adding, "Now be off to your quarter-deck, and take care how you come forward again, until you are wanted—vaya usted al demonio! and the devil go with you!"