“Let me drive it away for you,” said the guide, “these crickets are sometimes very troublesome; but they are a sign of good luck—they are a sign of good luck. People say, those on whom they may happen to jump, are sure to have money—plenty of money. Where is it? let me catch it.”
“Oh, never mind, never mind,” the lady said hastily, “continue, continue your story.”
“When Admiral Appadocca, I was saying, set the Spanish ships on fire, at the time when the English took the island, I remember the blaze they made. People say they were laden with gold: what a pity that was.”
“Why did he set them on fire?” inquired the lady.
“Because he would not let the money fall into the hands of the English,” answered the guide.
“And what became of the admiral himself?” the lady inquired again.
“I really cannot say,” answered the guide.
A short pause ensued.
“Had he any son, do you know?” asked the lady after a time,
“I do not know, madame,” answered the guide.