“A lucky fellow certainly,” said Martin.  “But I must say I have no taste for such chance work; so I’m quite ready to start for the sea-coast whenever it suits the Baron Fagoni’s convenience.”

While they were speaking they were attracted by voices outside the cottage, which sounded as if in altercation.  In another minute the door burst open, and a man entered hurriedly, followed by the interpreter.

“Your overseer is impertinent!” exclaimed the man, who was a tall swarthy Brazilian.  “I wish to buy a horse or a good mule, and he won’t let me have one.  I am not a beggar; I offer to pay.”

The man spoke in Portuguese, and Barney replied in the same language.

“You can have a horse if you pay for it.”

The Brazilian replied by throwing a heavy bag of dollars on the table.

“All right,” said Barney, turning to his interpreter and conversing with him in an under-tone.  “Give him what he requires.”  So saying he bowed the Brazilian out of the room, and returned to the enjoyment of his black pipe, which had been interrupted by the incident.

“That man seems in a hurry,” said Martin.

“So he is.  My interpreter tells me that he is quite like one o’ the blackguards that sometimes go about the mines doin’ mischief, and he’s in hot haste to be away.  I should not wonder if the spalpeen has been stealin’ gould or di’monds and wants to escape.  But of course I’ve nothin’ to do with that, unless I was sure of it; and I’ve a horse or two to sell, and he has money to pay for it; so he’s welcome.  He says he is makin’ straight for the say-coast; and with your lave, Martin, my boy, you and I will be doin’ that same in a week after this, and say good-bye to the di’mond mines.”

CHAPTER XXV

NEW SCENES AND PLEASANT TRAVELLING

A new and agreeable sensation is a pleasant thing.  It was on as bright an evening as ever shone upon Brazil, and in as fair a scene as one could wish to behold, that Martin Rattler and his friend Barney experienced a new sensation.  On the wide campos, on the flower-bedecked and grassy plains, they each bestrode a fiery charger; and, in the exultation of health, and strength, and liberty, they swept over the green sward of the undulating campos, as light as the soft wind that fanned their bronzed cheeks, as gay in heart as the buzzing insects that hovered above the brilliant flowers.

“Oh, this is best of all!” shouted Martin, turning his sparkling eyes to Barney, as he reined up his steed after a gallop that caused its nostril to expand and its eye to dilate.  “There’s nothing like it!  A fiery charger that can’t and won’t tire, and a glorious sweep of plain like that!  Huzza! whoop!” And loosening the rein of his willing horse, away he went again in a wild headlong career.