Alvez's confidant staggered under it.
Several soldiers threw themselves on Austin, who would perhaps pay dearly for this angry action.
Alvez stopped them by a look. He laughed, indeed, at the misfortune of his friend, Coimbra, who had lost two of the five or six teeth remaining to him.
Alvez did not intend to have his merchandise injured. Then, he was of a gay disposition, and it was a long time since he had laughed so much.
Meanwhile, he consoled the much discomfited Coimbra, and the latter, helped to his feet, again took his place near the trader, while throwing a menacing look at the audacious Austin.
At this moment Dick Sand, driven forward by an overseer, was led before Alvez.
The latter evidently knew all about the young man, whence he came, and how he had been taken to the camp on the Coanza.
So he said, after having given him an evil glance:
"The little Yankee!"
"Yes, Yankee!" replied Dick Sand. "What do they wish to do with my companions and me?"