and made signs that he was to take back the
answer. The friar beckoned him that he was to accompany him to his
room, where he read the letter, and then again made signs to him to
follow him. The friar led the way to his monastery, and as soon as
Mesty was in his cell, he summoned another who could speak English to
act as interpreter.

"Is your master recovering?"

"Yes," replied Mesty, "he is at present doing well."

"Have you served him long?"

"No," replied Mesty.

"Are you very fond of him? does he treat you well, give you plenty of
money?"

At these questions, the artful black conceived that there was something
in the wind, and he therefore very quietly replied, "I do not care much
for him."

The friar fixed his keen eye upon Mesty, and perceived there was a
savage look about the black, from which he augured that he was a man who
would suit his purpose.

"Your master offers me a thousand dollars; would you wish to gain this
money for yourself?"

Mesty grinned and showed his sharp-filed teeth.

"It would make me a rich man in my own country."

"It would," replied the friar; "now you shall have it, if you will only
give your master a small powder."

"I understand," replied Mesty; "hab those things in my country."

"Well--do you consent?--if so, I will write the letter to get the
money."

"Suppose they find me out?" replied Mesty.

"You will be safe, and you shall be sent away as soon as possible--say,
will you consent?"

"The whole thousand dollars?"

"Every one of them."

"Den give me the powder?"

"Stay a little," replied the friar, who went out of the cell, and, in
about ten minutes, returned with an answer to our hero's letter and a
paper containing a grayish powder.

"Give him this in his soup or anything--spread it on his meat, or mix it
up with his sugar if he eats an orange."

"I see," replied Mesty.

"The dollars shall be yours. I swear it on the holy cross."

Mesty grinned horribly, took his credentials, and then asked, "When I
come again?"

"As soon as you have received the money bring it to me at Don
Rebiera's--then give the powder: as soon as it is given you must let me
know, for you must not remain in Palermo. I will myself conduct you to
a place of safety."

Mesty then quitted the cell and was shown out of the monastery.

"By de holy poker he one damn rascal!" muttered Mesty, as he was once in
the open air. "But stop a little."

The Ashantee soon arrived at t