«What?» the Captain barked at him. «How do you know this?»
«A dozen miles or so from here we came upon an Indian village; and we had the wit to stop and inquire how long it might be since a Spanish fleet of canoes had gone that way. They answered that no such fleet had passed to–day, or yesterday, or any day since the last rains. That's how we knew that your gallant Spaniard had lied. We put about at once to return, and midway back we ran into Don Domingo's party. The meeting took him by surprise. He had not reckoned that we'd seek information so soon. But he was as smooth and specious as ever, and a deal more courteous. He confessed quite frankly that he had lied to you, adding that subsequently, after our departure, he had purchased his liberty, and that of all who accompanied him, by surrendering the gold to you. He was instructed by you, he said, to order us to return at once; and he showed us your note of hand, which made him safe.»
And then Yberville took up the tale.
«But we being not quite so trustful of Spaniards, and arguing that he who lies once will lie again, took them ashore and subjected them to a search.»
«And d'ye tell me that you found the gold?» cried Blood, aghast.
Yberville paused a moment and smiled.
«You had permitted them to victual themselves generously against that journey. Did you observe at what spring Don Domingo filled his water–casks?»
«His water–casks?» quoth Blood.
«Were casks of gold — there's six or seven hundred–weight of it at the least. We've brought it with us.»
By the time the joyous uproar excited by that announcement had settled down, Captain Blood had recovered from his chagrin. He laughed.