nknown, evidently desirous of putting an end to the
scene.

"Oh, a mere bagatelle--you have given the captain forty _onzas_."

"Twenty, I tell you."

"I would rather it had been forty," coolly repeated the carabinier, "but
say twenty, then. Now I don't wish to be indiscreet--he is a captain, I
am nothing more than a poor private. I think it reasonable therefore,
that I should have _double_ what he has received."

At this extortionate demand the stranger allowed a bitter oath to escape
him, but made no answer.

"I know well," continued Pepe, "that I am asking too little. If my
captain has three times my pay, of course he has three times less need
of money than I, and therefore I have the right to _triple_ the sum he
has received; but as the times are hard, I hold to my original demand--
forty _onzas_."

A terrible struggle betwixt pride and apprehension appeared to be going
on in the bosom of the stranger. Despite the coldness of the night the
perspiration streamed over his brow and down his cheeks. Some imperious
necessity it was that had led him into this place--some strange mystery
there must be--since the necessity he was now under tamed down a spirit
that appeared untamable. The tone of jeering intrepidity which Pepe
held toward him caused him to feel the urgency of a compromise; and at
length plunging his hand into his pocket he drew forth a purse, and
presented it to the carabinier.

"Take it and go!" he cried, with impatience.

Pepe took the purse, and for a moment held it in his hand as if he would
first count its contents.

"Bah!" he exclaimed, after a pause, "I'll risk it. I accept it for
forty _onzas_. And now, senor stranger, I am deaf, dumb, and blind."

"I count upon it," coldly rejoined the unknown.

"By the life of my mother!" replied Pepe, "since it's not an affair of
smuggling I don't mind to lend you a hand--for as a coast-guard, you
see, I could not take part in anything contraband--no, never!"

"Very well, then," rejoined the stranger, with a bitter smile, "you may
set your conscience at rest on that score. Guard this boat till my
return. I go to join my men. Only whatever happens--whatever you may
see--whatever you may hear--be, as you have promised, deaf, dumb, and
blind."

As he uttered these words the stranger sprang out of the boat, and took
the road leading to the village. A turning in the path soon bid him
from the sight of the coast-guard.

Once left to himself,