354 DICK SANDS, THE BOY CAPTAIN, " Ycs.yes !" replied Alvez, grinning, "you are Amcrîcans; very glad to sec you 1 " " V'ery glad to sec you ! " echocd Cormbra, and walking up to Au5tin he feit his chest and shoulders, and then proceeded to opeu his mouth in order to examine hîi teeth. A blow from Austin'a poweifut fist sent the satellite sti^^^ng backwards. Some soldiers made a dash and seîzed the young n^ro^ evidently ready to make him pay dearly for lus temerîty ; but Alvez was by no mcans willing to hâve any injuiy donc to fais newiy-acquired property, and called them oS. He hardly attempted to conceal fais amusement at Coimbra's discomfiture, although the blmv had cost him one of fais front teetti. After lie had recovered somewhat from the shock, Coïmbra stood scowHng at Austin, as if mentally vowii^ vengeance on some future occasion. Dick Sands was now himself brought forward in the custody of a havildar. It was clear that Alvez had been told ail about him, for after scanning him for a moment, he stammercd out in his broken English,— " Ah ! ah ! the little Yankee I " " Yes," replied Dick ; " I see you know who I am. What are you going to do with me and ray friends ?" " Yankee ! little Yankee ! " repeated the trader, who either did not or would not comprehend the meantng of Dick's question. Dick turned to Coïmbra and made the same inquÎTy ot him ; in spîte of his degraded features, now still fartfaer disfigured by beîng swollen from the blow, it was easy to recognize that he was not of native origin. He refused to answer a word, and only stared again with the vicious glare of malevolence. Meanwhtle, Alvez had begun to talk to Ibn Hamish. Dick felt sure that they intended to separate faim from the n^roes, and accordîngly took the opportunity of whisperil^ a few words to them. " My frîends, I hâve beard from Hercules. Dingo
