ke a part in the contest. People of all
descriptions, many who had long been wanderers on the face of the globe,
were collected there with the hope of getting employment on board the
numerous privateers fitting out, caring nothing which side they
espoused, provided an abundance of prize-money was to be obtained.
Among these worthies the marquis found several old acquaintances. He
did not fail in the course of conversation to make inquiries about other
former shipmates. He invited them to his house, and treated them with
unexpected liberality. One and all declared that he was well worthy of
the exalted rank to which he had attained. He was seated one day alone,
not having yet found the description of man of whom he was in search,
when a stranger was announced.

"He is a seafaring man," said the servant, "but he declines to give his
name, as he says your excellency is not acquainted with it."

"Let him come in--perhaps he may have business with me," said the
marquis; and a tall, thin, swarthy personage, with a large pair of
moustaches which totally concealed his mouth, entered the room. He
probably was about fifty years old, but he had as much the appearance of
a soldier as of a sailor about him; he seated himself in a chair, and
immediately said: "Your very obedient servant, most noble marquis. I
understand that you are in search of a trustworthy man to undertake some
work or other for you."

"I--I never said any such thing," exclaimed the marquis, somewhat
confused.

"Your excellency may not have said it, but the tenor of your conduct
shows me what you require. You would not trouble yourself with the
company of all the people you have lately invited to your house unless
you required something from them. Come, be frank; I have guessed
rightly, have I not?"

"Before I answer that question I must know whom I address," answered the
marquis, trying to look very wise.

"As to that, my name is not unknown to fame," replied the stranger in a
careless tone. "I am Don Josef Tacon, or Captain Tacon, as I am
generally called; we have met before now in the days of our youth; in
the West Indies; on the coast of Africa; you remember me, perhaps. You
recollect how we boarded the Dutchman, and how we relieved the Mynheers
of their cash and cargo, and provisions and water; and you haven't
forgotten the English West Indiaman we captured and sent to the bottom
with all her crew when they threatened to send one of their cr