to come from another world than
that which furnished so many desperate adventurers and former galley
slaves to New Orleans.

Henry noticed the attention that they were attracting, and he did not like
it.

"Perhaps, boys, we'd better go back to our boat," he said.

But before any one could answer he was tapped lightly on the arm and,
turning about, he saw the small, trim figure of Lieutenant Diego Bernal,
who had been the first man to greet them as they entered New Orleans.

"We met on the water, as you know," said the little lieutenant, smiling in
a friendly manner. "My name is Bernal, Diego Bernal, and I am a lieutenant
in the service of our most excellent Governor General, Bernardo Galvez."

His manner was polite, and Henry met him half way. He had nothing to
conceal, and he gave him the names of his comrades and himself. Lieutenant
Bernal all the time was regarding them shrewdly.

"It is evident that you are mighty men despite the youth of some of you,"
he said, "and I begin to suspect it from other facts also."

"What other facts?" asked Henry.

"Now, there is the matter of your boat," replied the lieutenant jauntily.
"I had a belief, wrong no doubt, that she was of Spanish build. I also
seemed to have a recollection, wrong, too, no doubt, that I had once seen
Francisco Alvarez, the chief of our captains, aboard that boat and bearing
himself in a manner that indicated ownership. I am wrong, no doubt. My
impressions are often false and my memory always weak. Gladly would I
stand correction. Gladly would I be convinced that I am misled by some
fancied resemblance."

"Them's pow'ful big words," said Long Jim.

Henry, who was always the leader of the five when they were together,
looked into the eyes of Diego Bernal, and he seemed to see there the
curious contraction that is called a wink. He gave judgment at once
concerning Diego Bernal.

"I take it," he said by way of reply, "that you are no great friend of the
captain, Francisco Alvarez?"

"If a higher officer rebukes you unjustly and sneers at a commander whom
you respect and like, is it calculated to promote friendship?"

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,