"Oui—mon brave," said the fellow, with a grimace.
"Against your own country?"
"Sacre! our country deserves nothing better at our hands," he continued, smiling and bowing.
My disgust was so strong that I felt tempted to club my carbine and knock the traitor down: but I restrained the emotion and said—
"I am only a private dragoon, and can in no way assist you—so please to move off. It is contrary to orders for me to converse thus, and for you to loiter here."
"We are aware of that," said one, in a deep, growling voice, who had not yet spoken; "but monsieur will perhaps direct us to whom we can apply."
"If you have been in the French Marine service, you should know that well enough yourself."
I paused, and then thinking that, though these men were traitors and rascals, their services or information might be valuable to the general and commodore, I said—
"Messieurs, I may be able to assist you, when relieved from guard. What are your names?"
"Mine is Theophile Damien," said the first speaker.