“Yes, yes, Americans!  Welcome, welcome!”

“Welcome,” added Coimbra.

He advanced toward Austin, and like a merchant who examines a sample, after having felt his chest and his shoulders, he wanted to make him open his mouth, so as to see his teeth.

But at this moment Signor Coimbra received in his face the worst blow that a major’s son had ever caught.

Alvez’s confidant staggered under it.

Several soldiers threw themselves on Austin, who would perhaps pay dearly for this angry action.

Alvez stopped them by a look.  He laughed, indeed, at the misfortune of his friend, Coimbra, who had lost two of the five or six teeth remaining to him.

Alvez did not intend to have his merchandise injured.  Then, he was of a gay disposition, and it was a long time since he had laughed so much.

Meanwhile, he consoled the much discomfited Coimbra, and the latter, helped to his feet, again took his place near the trader, while throwing a menacing look at the audacious Austin.

At this moment Dick Sand, driven forward by an overseer, was led before Alvez.

The latter evidently knew all about the young man, whence he came, and how he had been taken to the camp on the Coanza.

So he said, after having given him an evil glance: 

“The little Yankee!”

“Yes, Yankee!” replied Dick Sand.  “What do they wish to do with my companions and me?”

“Yankee!  Yankee!  Yankee!” repeated Alvez.

Did he not or would he not understand the question put to him?

A second time Dick Sand asked the question regarding his companions and himself.  He then turned to Coimbra, whose features, degraded as they were by the abuse of alcoholic liquors, he saw were not of native origin.

Coimbra repeated the menacing gesture already made at Austin, and did not answer.

During this time Alvez talked rapidly with the Arab, Ibn Hamis, and evidently of things that concerned Dick Sand and his friends.

No doubt they were to be again separated, and who could tell if another chance to exchange a few words would ever again be offered them.

“My friends,” said Dick, in a low voice, and as if he were only speaking to himself, “just a few words!  I have received, by Dingo, a letter from Hercules.  He has followed the caravan.  Harris and Negoro took away Mrs. Weldon, Jack, and Mr. Benedict.  Where?  I know not, if they are not here at Kazounde.  Patience! courage!  Be ready at any moment.  God may yet have pity on us!”

“And Nan?” quickly asked old Tom.

“Nan is dead!”

“The first!”

“And the last!” replied Dick Sand, “for we know well——­”

At this moment a hand was laid on his shoulder, and he heard these words, spoken in the amiable voice which he knew only too well: 

“Ah, my young friend, if I am not mistaken!  Enchanted to see you again!”