The gaze of the two met again, and Henry understood.

“I see what your choice would be if you were compelled to choose between Bernardo Galvez and Francisco Alvarez,” he said.  “It may be that you will have to make such a choice, and I will tell you, too, that the boat did belong to the Captain Alvarez.  We took it from him because, first, he made an outrageous attack upon us; secondly, he is plotting to set all the Indian tribes upon us in Kentucky, aided with Spanish soldiers and Spanish guns, and, thirdly, he hopes to become Governor General of Louisiana, and commit Spain to an alliance with England in the war upon the Americans.”

Henry spoke boldly and earnestly, and the others nodded assent.

Lieutenant Diego Bernal, a trim, dandified little man, drew forth from the pocket of his waistcoat a small gold snuff box and delicately took a pinch of snuff, a habit to which the five were unaccustomed.

“Speak it low, my friend,” he said deliberately.  “All this, if it be true, is great news, and you do right in coming to New Orleans to see Bernardo Galvez.  Can you prove it when you see the Governor General?”

“We can give proofs,” replied Henry guardedly.

“It is well, and I am pleased that I have met you.  Know then that I am the enemy of Francisco Alvarez, and that I may aid you.  Who can tell?  It is well for strangers to have friends in New Orleans.  I have an impression that I have some influence.  I am usually wrong and my memory is always weak, but this particular impression persists, nevertheless.”

Long Jim opened his mouth in wonder.

“’Pears strange to me,” he said, “that a furrin man kin pick more big words out uv our language, an’ rope ’em together than we kin.”

Lieutenant Diego Bernal smiled.  He was pleased.

“I learned English when I was a boy,” he said, “and now it serves me well.  I would hear more of your news, gentlemen, but for the present I wish to offer you refreshments.  Come with me, if you please.”

He led the way into a low building of brick, an inn fashioned after the manner of those in France.

They entered the public room, which was large and square, with a fairly clean, sanded floor, and many men about drinking liquors unknown to the five.

They took seats at a table in a rather retired corner, and gazed with interest at the variegated crowd.  Many of the men wore great, gold rings in their ears, something entirely new to the five, and others were tattooed in strange designs.  They drank deep and swore much and loudly in strange tongues.  Also, they smoked cigarros, cigarritos, and pipes, and there was scarcely one present who did not have either knife or pistol or both at belt.

“Undoubtedly there is more than one pirate from the Gulf or the Caribbean among them,” said Lieutenant Bernal, “but the pirates perhaps are not the worst.  Louisiana and New Orleans can supply many a desperate villain of their own.”