"Do you happen to have any name?" inquired Gray.
"My name is Belgrave, at your service."
"Then I suppose you hail from Belgravia in London."
"No, sir; I hail from Von Blonk Park."
"Then you speak English very well for a Dutchman. I never heard of the place you come from; but it is all the same," continued Gray, evidently proceeding to use the gentle measures of which he had spoken. "The Dutch are a very thrifty and money-making people."
"They are, like the Scotch, of whom you are one, I should judge, though you have but little of the dialect in your speech, and you speak English very well indeed, to return your compliment," replied Louis, seeing that Felix and Morris were keeping a close watch over the Spaniards in the boat.
If Gray wished to use gentle measures, the self-appointed commander of the Salihé was willing to meet him half-way, and was not disposed to resort to violence as long as it could be avoided, or even to harshness of speech.
"I am a Scotchman, and I am proud of my country," added Gray. "You are a Dutchman, though you speak English perfectly. I suppose you are ready, as Scotchmen and Dutchmen always are, to make a little money."
"I cannot say that I am," replied Louis rather coldly.
"Then you are a very odd Dutchman."