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Read Ebook: The Buccaneer Chief: A Romance of the Spanish Main by Aimard Gustave
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Ebook has 1036 lines and 31821 words, and 21 pages
haughtily; "And how do you dare to assume such a tone with me?"
"Probably, because it is the one that suits me best," the buccaneer replied, drawing himself up quickly; "go your road, my fine sir, and take some good advice; if you do not wish your handsome jerkin to be filled with broken bones within five minutes, do not trouble yourself about me more than I do about you, and leave me to attend to my business."
"If not?" the buccaneer asked, with eyes flashing fire, while the Major-domo, foreseeing a catastrophe, prudently glided behind his master.
As for the latter, he stood cool and impassive before the buccaneer, resolved to take the offensive vigorously, if he saw him make the slightest suspicious gesture. But, contrary to all expectation, the adventurer's menacing look became almost suddenly calm, his features resumed their usual expression of nonchalance; and it was in an almost friendly tone, in spite of its roughness, that he said--
"Halloh! What name was that you mentioned, if you please?"
"That of the owner of this savannah."
"I suppose so," the adventurer replied, laughing; "but may I ask you to repeat the name?"
"That is of no consequence, my master," the young man said disdainfully, for he fancied that his adversary was backing out of the quarrel; "the name I uttered is that of Do?a Clara de Bejar of Sousa."
"Et cetera," the buccaneer said, with a laugh, "these devils of gavachos have names for every day in the year. Come, don't be angry, my young cock," he added, remarking the flush which the expression he had employed spread over the Count's face; "we are, perhaps, nearer an understanding than you imagine--what would you gain by a fight with me? Nothing; and you might, on the contrary, lose a great deal."
"I do not understand your words," the young man answered drily, "but I hope you are about to explain them."
"It will not take long, as you shall see," the other said tauntingly, and, turning to the forest, he raised his hands to his mouth in the shape of a speaking trumpet.
"Eh! L'Olonnais!" he shouted.
"Hola!" a man immediately answered, whom the denseness of the forest in which he was hidden rendered invisible.
"Come here, my son," the buccaneer continued, "I believe we have found your little matter."
"Ah, ah!" L'Olonnais, still invisible, replied, "I must have a look at it."
The young Count did not know what to think of this new incident which seemed about to change the state of affairs; he feared a coarse jest on the part of these half-savage men. He hesitated between giving way to the passion that was boiling within him, or patiently awaiting the result of the buccaneer's summons; but a secret foreboding urged him to restrain himself and act prudently with these men, who did not appear animated by an evil design against him, and whose manners, though quick and rough, were still friendly.
At this moment L'Olonnais appeared; he wore the same dress as the buccaneer: he advanced hurriedly toward the latter, and without troubling himself about the two Spaniards, asked him what he wanted, while throwing on the ground a wild bull's hide, which he was carrying on his shoulders.
"Did you not tell me something about a letter which Bowline sent you this morning by the hands of Omopoua?"
"It is true, Lepoletais. I spoke to you about it," he said, "and it was settled between us that as you know the country, you were to lead me to the person to whom I have to deliver this accursed slip of paper."
"Well, then, my son, if you like, your commission is performed," Lepoletais continued, as he pointed to Don Sancho, "he is the brother, or at least calls himself so, of the person in question."
"Stuff," L'Olonnais replied, fixing alight glance on the young man, "that gay springald?"
"Yes, he says so; for as you know, the Spaniards are such liars, that it is not possible even to trust to their word."
Don Sancho blushed with indignation.
"Who gave you the right to doubt mine?" he exclaimed.
"Nothing has done so up to the present, hence I am not addressing myself to you, but speaking generally."
"So," L'Olonnais asked him, "you are the brother of Do?a Clara de Bejar, the mistress of the hatto del Rinc?n?"
"Once again, yes, I am her brother."
"Good! And how will you prove it to me?"
The young man shrugged his shoulders.
"What do I care whether you believe me or not?" he said.
"That is possible, but it is of great consequence to me to be certain of the fact; I am entrusted with a letter for that lady, and wish to perform my commission properly."
"In that case hand me the letter, and I will deliver it myself."
"You found that out all by yourself," the engag? said mockingly, "a likely notion that I should give you the note on your demand," and he burst into a hearty laugh, in which Lepoletais joined.
"These Spaniards doubt nothing," the buccaneer said.
"In that case go to the deuce, you and your letter," the young man exclaimed passionately, "it does not make any difference to me if you keep it."
"Come, come, don't be savage, hang it all," L'Olonnais continued in a conciliatory tone; "there is possibly a means of arranging matters to the general satisfaction; I am not so black as I look, and I have good intentions, but I do not wish to be duped, that is all."
The young man, in spite of the visible repugnance with which the adventurers inspired him did not dare to break suddenly with them; the letter might be very important, and his sister, doubtless would not pardon him if he acted petulantly in this matter.
"Come," he said, "speak, but make haste; it is late--I am far from the hatto, where I wish to return before sunset, so as not to alarm my sister unnecessarily."
"That is the conduct of a good brother," the engag? answered with an ironical smile; "this is what I propose to you: tell the little lady in question that Montbart's engag? has orders to deliver a letter to her, and that if she wishes to have it, she need only come and fetch it."
"What! Fetch it, where?"
"Here; zounds! Lepoletais and I will set up a boucan at this spot; we will wait for the lady all tomorrow here: it seems to me that what I propose is simple and easy."
"And do you believe," he answered ironically, "that my sister will consent to accept such an appointment made by a wretched adventurer? why, you must be mad!"
"I do not believe anything, I make you a proposal, which you are free to accept or refuse, that is all: as for the letter, she shall only have it by coming to fetch it herself."
"Why not accompany me to the hatto, that would be more simple, I fancy?"
"It is possible, and that was my intention at first, but I have changed my mind; so settle what you will do."
"My sister respects herself too much to take such a step, I am certain beforehand that she will indignantly refuse."
"Well, you may be mistaken, my friend," the engag? said, with a knowing smile, "who ever knows what women think!"
"Well, to cut short an interview which has already lasted too long, I will inform her of what you have said to me; still, I do not conceal from you that I shall make every effort to prevent her coming."
"You can do as you please, it does not concern me; but be assured that if it be her wish to come, as I believe, your arguments will be of no use."
"We shall see."
"Mind not to forget to tell her that the letter is from Montbarts."
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