“That we will speedily learn,” answered Diego.
So he took from his pockets, Juan doing likewise, all the bells and beads he had. Then he made signs that he would exchange them only for rings of gold. Upon that the savages ran off and returned with a handful altogether of the rings, and Diego and Juan were soon rid of their trifles in exchange; though it must be said that the Indians gave every evidence of thinking they had made the better bargain.
When they had procured all they could from the men, the boys, in great excitement, hurried out of the grove and shouted for Martin Alonzo, until he was pointed out to them.
“Well,” said he, “what madness is on you now?”
“Madness, indeed!” said Diego, his dark eyes sparkling like the precious stones his head was now full of; for he was as certain as if he had them in his pockets that he would soon be possessed of burdensome quantities of diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and the like. Martin Alonzo very quickly caught the expression, and demanded eagerly:
“What then? What then? Speak, Diego!”
“Look, cousin!” said Diego, softly, and drew several of the rings from his pocket and gave them to Martin Alonzo.
“Gold!” said Martin Alonzo, in a tone that might fairly be called an adoring one.
“I have twenty if I have one, and Juan has as many,” said Diego.
“Ha, ha!” cried Martin Alonzo, rubbing his hands gleefully, “did I not say you should have it? Come! we must to the admiral with this.”