had just arrived, on their way from Leogane to Port Saint Louis in the
bay, and that they were ordered to look out for several English spies,
and that some blacks, who knew the Englishmen, had accompanied the
soldiers to assist in finding them. As soon as I heard this I hastily
put some of the things into my bag, not waiting for the remainder, and
hurried out of the hut. As I did so, what was my dismay to see three of
the soldiers, accompanied by one of the black fellows who had escaped
from the wreck! Were I to have run away they would have suspected me,
so I walked on whistling, as if I had nothing to fear from them.

"As mischance would have it, they were proceeding in the same direction,
and it is my belief that they were even then going in search of you.
Thoughtless of the consequence, I happened to whistle an air which I
sang that night on board the schooner when we were becalmed. The rogue
of a black recognised it, for, turning my head, I saw him coming after
me. I was silent directly, and began to walk very fast. Fortunately it
was almost dusk, and, reaching some thick bushes, I dodged behind them.
The black passed me and went on. I lay quiet, and after a time he came
back, and I heard him tell the soldiers, who had followed him, that he
must have been mistaken; so they then proposed going back to the
village.

"I waited until they were out of hearing, and then set off to try and
find my way to the cave, but I missed it, and have been wandering about
ever since."

No one troubled Le Duc with questions. They were too eager to dispose
of the contents of his bag. They could not see what they were eating,
but they were not inclined to be particular. As soon as they had
finished their meal, being told by Rayner that soldiers were in the
neighbourhood, they begged at once to continue their journey; but Rayner
was very doubtful whether Jack could keep up, though he declared that he
was ready.

When, however, he crept out of the cave, he was scarcely able to stand,
much less to walk any distance.

"I must remain, then," said Rayner, "and you, Oliver, go on with the
other two men and Le Duc, and when he has seen you safely into Spanish
territory he will, perhaps, come back and assist me and Jack Peek. If
he cannot, we must do our best by ourselves. We have been in a more
difficult position together before now, and managed to escape."

Oliver, however, would not hear of this, and it was finally settled