“A right-minded youth!” murmured Garcia Fernandez.
“Last night,” went on Diego, “I lay out on deck, because of not liking the forecastle, where, besides the air being close and foul, I had nothing but black looks. While I lay there I saw two sailors creep out and make their way aft, one of them with a knife in his hand. I followed softly, thinking they meant mischief to you.”
“And what would you have done in such a case?” demanded Martin Alonzo, who with the other two had listened with great interest to Diego’s tale.
“I should have thrown myself on him and called for help, the moment I saw him go into the cabin.”
“Tut!” said Martin Alonzo, “what could you do against him?”
“What!” cried Diego, off his guard, “I am his master, as he shall learn some day.”
The three men exchanged meaning glances that told Diego that he had betrayed a part of his secret. He was at once furious and in despair.
“I will say no more. ’Tis a shame to trick my honest confidence.”
“So it is, Diego, so it is in faith,” said Martin Alonzo, hastily. “Believe me, I will take no advantage of what has slipped you.”