The persons to be landed were now assembled on the deck of the schooner.
The captain made a sign to the master fisherman to follow him, and he descended the cabin steps. When he had arrived into his apartment, he drew from a case a pair of pistols, and, at the same time, took from his desk a purse of money.
“Listen to me,” he said, to the master fisherman, “you have hitherto acquitted yourself well of that in which I have employed you, and I have rewarded you: now I require your further services.——I shall put you and the captives in a boat in a few moments. There is a young lady among them, together with an old priest: you must take care of her, and protect her. There are arms,” pointing to the pistols, “for you, the others are unarmed. You, with these and the assistance of your men, can defend her against the sailors in the boat, in case any attempt be made by them to use the advantage of number which they possess. There is your reward,” pointing to the purse.—“But, first swear by God and the Holy Virgin, that you will protect her at all risks.”
“Senor, I swear.”
“You shall be the master of the boat, and it shall be yours after you are all landed. Beat up to the land which you see before you from the deck. That is Granada. In three day’s time you will be there. Remember your oath. I never forget to punish.”
“Senor, I shall,” answered the master fisherman, who had all the gravity of the people to which he belonged, half by race and wholly by feelings.
The captain pointed towards the door, and the master fisherman was led away by one of the black boys who was in constant attendance there.
When the captain had disappeared from the deck with the master fisherman, Lorenzo was in a manner recalled to himself. He looked about him, his eyes met those of Agnes. His heart leapt. That look of kindness penetrated his soul; the gloomy conjurings of his pride vanished before it, and he seemed to be in the enjoyment of something to which, up to that moment, he had been quite a stranger. But, may he not have mistaken that expression of the eyes.
He looked again and again—their eyes met. Oh, no, he was not mistaken. He drew towards the young lady.