'Does it happen, sir, that you are acquainted with the Cardinal–Archbishop Don Ignacio de la Fuente, the new Primate of New Spain?'
'Not yet, sir. He has not yet reached Havana. But we look daily now for the honour of receiving him.'
'It may be yours even sooner than you think.'
'But not sooner than we hope. What, sir, do you know of the Cardinal–Archbishop's voyage?'
Blood, however, had already resumed his progress aft, and did not answer him.
They came at last to the door of the wardroom, which was guarded by two musketeers. A muffled sound of chanting, Gregorian of character, which had mystified the Alcalde as they approached, was now so distinct that as they halted he could even distinguish the words of that droned supplication:
'Hostem repellas longius
Pacemque dones protinus;
Ductore sic te praevio
Vitemus omne noxium.'