United States or Malaysia ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Nevertheless Don Estevan could not hinder himself from casting an occasional glance in the direction where the young man stood though through the obscurity he could make no exact observation of his features. The silence continued. Don Estevan and the Senator remained seated on their camp-beds, carbine in hand, while Benito, surrounded by the other domestics, formed a group by the side of the fire.
He could only exclaim, as he respectfully pressed the hand which the Spaniard held out to him: "Oh, Don Estevan if you permit me still to give you this modest title I regret my suspicions; and for the happiness which you offer me, for the grand perspective which you open before me, I promise you my life, my heart, but " "But! another suspicion?" asked Don Estevan, with a smile.
The visible exertion he made to repress the rancorous feelings which the sight of the Spanish noble aroused in him, filled the latter with a sad presentiment. A shudder passed through the frame of Don Estevan, but he did not lower his eyes, and by the aid of his invincible pride, he waited with apparent calmness until Pepe began to speak.
We shall now leave him to tell his own story as to how he made the acquaintance of young Arellanos, and it will be seen that this story is a mere deception practised upon Don Estevan. "Nevertheless," resumed Cuchillo in breaking the silence, "I was determined to free my mind from all doubt upon the subject.
Come, we have wasted time enough in talk; it is action that counts what say you? Are we together in this?" He thrust out a lean, yellow hand, and I gripped it firmly. "Si, Senor; you speak right. To do this we must act. I am with you." "You pledge your word, Francois?" "I pledge it, Senor." "Good! and you have mine. Now to the work first Manuel Estevan, and then the men on deck.
Tiburcio awaited the reply of the trapper, feeling almost certain of his adhesion, notwithstanding the refusal the latter had made in his presence to the proposal of Don Estevan.
Two dangerous enemies were approaching him; Cuchillo with wounded self-esteem, and purposes of vengeance that caused, him to grind his teeth as he thought of them; and Don Estevan, smarting at the discovery of such an obstacle to his ambition.
"Those were no mates o' ours, sir," said Watkins indignantly. "They are half-breed mongrels, and no sailors; Estevan is a hell-hound, an' so far as my voice goes, I'd rather die on this deck than ever agin be a bloody pirate. Is that the right word, lads?" The others grumbled assent, but their muttered words had in them a ring of sincerity, and their faces exhibited no cowardice.
From this grove, thanks to the calmness of the night, they could catch every word that was said for under the shadow of the trees they were able to approach very near to the speakers. "Whatever you may hear," whispered Don Estevan in the ear of the other, "remain motionless as I do." "I will," simply answered Cuchillo. The two now placed themselves in an attitude to see and hear.
"We shall see, then." "Know, then, Senor Arechiza, that for several years past I have followed the profession of a gambusino, and have rambled over most of this country in the exercise of my calling. I have seen a deposit of gold such as mortal eye perhaps never looked upon!" "You have seen it, and not possessed yourself of it?" "Do not mock me, Don Estevan; I am in earnest.
Word Of The Day