“And now,” said he, “what are you going to do with those people?”

“I shall make two parties of them,” replied Negoro, like a man whose plan had been long formed, “those whom I shall sell as slaves, and those whom——­”

The Portuguese did not finish, but his ferocious physiognomy spoke plainly enough.

“Which will you sell?” asked Harris.

“Those blacks who accompany Mrs. Weldon,” replied Negoro.  “Old Tom is not perhaps of much value, but the others are four strong fellows, who will bring a high price in the Kazounde market.”

“I well believe it, Negoro,” replied Harris.  “Four negroes, well made, accustomed to work, have very little resemblance to those brutes which come to us from the interior.  Certainly, you will sell them at a high price.  Slaves, born in America, and exported to the markets of Angola; that is rare merchandise!  But,” added the American, “you have not told me if there was any money on board the ‘Pilgrim.’”

“Oh! a few hundred dollars only, which I have succeeded in saving.  Fortunately, I count on certain returns.”

“Which, then, comrade?” asked Harris, with curiosity.

“Nothing!” replied Negoro, who appeared to regret having spoken more than he intended.

“It now remains to take possession of all that high-priced merchandise,” said Harris.

“Is it, then, so difficult?” asked Negoro.

“No, comrade.  Ten miles from here, on the Coanza, a caravan of slaves is encamped, conducted by the Arab, Ibn Hamis.  He only awaits my return to take the road for Kazounde.  There are more native soldiers there than are needed to capture Dick Sand and his companions.  It will be sufficient for my young friend to conceive the idea of going to the Coanza.”

“But will he get that idea?” asked Negoro.

“Surely,” replied Harris, “because he is intelligent, and cannot suspect the danger that awaits him.  Dick Sand would not think of returning to the coast by the way we have followed together.  He would be lost among these immense forests.  He will seek, then, I am sure, to reach one of the rivers that flow toward the coast, so as to descend it on a raft.  He has no other plan to take, and I know he will take it.”

“Yes, perhaps so,” replied Negoro, who was reflecting.

“It is not ‘perhaps so,’ it is ‘assuredly so,’ that must be said,” continued Harris.  “Do you see, Negoro?  It is as if I had appointed a rendezvous with my young friend on the banks of the Coanza.”

“Well, then,” replied Negoro, “let us go.  I know Dick Sand.  He will not delay an hour, and we must get before him.”

“Let us start, comrade.”

Harris and Negoro both stood up, when the noise that had before attracted the Portuguese’s attention was renewed.  It was a trembling of the stems between the high papyrus.

Negoro stopped, and seized Harris’s hand.

Suddenly a low barking was heard.  A dog appeared at the foot of the bank, with its mouth open, ready to spring.