o leave this island. How is
it that you have not yet gone?"

"Because it pleased me to stay," answered Jack. "But I shall be leaving
either to-morrow or the next day--for a short time. Now, Don Sebastian
Alvaros, disgrace to the uniform that you wear, unmitigated blackguard
and scoundrel, mean, contemptible coward, and, as I believe, colossal
liar, listen to me! As I told you a moment ago, I am leaving Cuba
within the next day or two. But I shall return, Senor; and if it should
ever prove that the infamous story which you have just told is even
approximately true, I will not kill you, but I will inflict upon you
such a fearful punishment for your vile deed that all Cuba shall ring
with it, and it shall be a warning to every man who hears the tale to
beware of doing the like!"

"Bueno, bueno; well spoken, young Englishman!" cried one or two voices
from amid the crowd; and several people, anticipating a fracas, started
to their feet, as did Alvaros, whose features were now livid and
twitching with mingled fury and fear.

"Pig of an Englishman," he exclaimed, clapping his hand on his sword
hilt, "you shall die for this!" And he attempted to snatch his weapon
from its sheath. But the cavalryman who had entered the place with him,
and had listened in silence and with a lowering brow to his shameful
story, now sprang out of his seat, and, seizing Alvaros by his
shoulders, thrust him violently back into his chair, hissing between his
clenched teeth:

"Silence, cochinillo! Sit down, and do not dare to further disgrace
your sword by drawing it on an unarmed man! I will manage this affair.
Senor," turning to Jack, "you have publicly insulted an officer of the
Spanish Army, and, great as has been your provocation, you must give the
man satisfaction. You are an Englishman, it would appear, and it is
therefore quite possible that you may have no friends here to see you
through your quarrel. Should such be the case, I shall esteem myself
honoured if you will permit me to place my services at your disposal. I
have the pleasure to offer you my card, Senor." So saying, he produced
a card-case, and, extracting a card therefrom, tendered it to Jack.
Meanwhile, during the progress of the above little speech, Jack had been
thinking hard. He was in for a row, after all, despite his good
resolutions of a short time before; and he must carry the matter through
as best he could. But since this strange soldier was willing to s