“Heathen dog, your deceit will end here with your life,” and struck a blow which the other escaped by throwing himself on his back.
The mute’s mouth worked spasmodically in his seeming efforts to enunciate, and he eagerly directed their attention to the path they had just descended. Hilo caught his meaning.
“Watch him well,” he exclaimed, and bounded up the steep hill side.
The peasant was found after a short search, standing at the narrow entrance of a cavern.
“Here, my good man,” the Spaniard said, showing him a gold piece. “It goes against our conscience to take any thing from a poor fellow like you.”
At this gracious speech the Portuguese came forward with alacrity, and Hilo eyed him keenly.
“In the king’s name I arrest you, Count de Torrevedros!” he cried on a sudden, seizing the viceroy as he spoke.
The cowardly governor made no resistance, but looking toward his slave whom the captain had by this time driven unwillingly to the spot.
“Wretch!” he exclaimed, “you have betrayed your master, and I would kill you if I had a sword.”
“We owe him a grudge ourselves,” Carlo muttered, and passing his short blade through the Moor’s body, threw it upon the rocks.