Part 17 (1/2)
”Wait a oing to begin now A hundred and ten”
TheXavier glared at Leonard and bit his fingers with rage He was very near his limit of possible expenditure
”Now then,” cried Pereira, licking his lips for joy, since the price had already run twenty ounces higher than he expected, ”Now then, friend Xavier, aer captain Pierre?
It sounds a lot, but she is cheap at the price, dirt cheap Look at her and bid up But mind, it is cash down--no credit, no, not for an ounce”
”A hundred and fifteen,” said Xavier, with the air of ahis last throw for fortune
”A hundred and twenty,” replied Leonard quietly
He had bid to the last ounce in his possession, and if Xavier went further he ive in, unless, indeed, he chose to offer Soa's ruby in payment This, needless to say, he was not anxious to do; enuine Of all this, however, Leonard showed nothing in his face, but turning coolly he called to a slave-girl to bring hilass His hand never tre for a cue, and if he showed uncertainty all ht be lost But in his heart, Leonard wondered what he should do if another ounce was bid
Meanwhile the spectators were shouting encourage Xavier to increase his offer For a while the Portugee hesitated, surveying Juanna, who stood pale and silent, her head bowed upon her breast At this juncture Leonard turned, the glass still in his hand
”Did you make any advance, senor?” he asked
”No, curse you! Take her I will not put down another ounce for her or any woman on the earth”
Leonard only s!” said that worthy; ”the white girl, Juanna, is going to the stranger Pierre for one hundred and twenty ounces of gold Going! Come, Xavier, don't lose her If you do you will only be sorry once, and that will be always Now, for the last tilass in his hand and paused
Xavier made a step forward and opened his lips to speak
Leonard's heart stood still, but presently the Portugee changed his ing the glass down so heavily on the arments
CHAPTER XIII
A MIDNIGHT MARRIAGE
”Gone,” said Pereira again ”Now, friend Pierre, before we ratify this old This is a cash transaction, remember”
”Certainly,” answered Leonard ”Where is that black dog of h out the stuff; if you have not enough, here is more” And he unbuckled his belt, from which he had been careful to extract the ruby, and threw it to Otter
”Now, gentlemen and coether by and by, drink my health and my bride's I have paid pretty dear for her, but what of it? A gentleman of our profession should always be ready to back his fancy, for if his is apt to be a short life he may as well make it a merry one”
”She will think the better of you, and you of her for it,” cried a voice ”Here is to Captain Pierre and the girl” And they drank, shouting aloud in their half-drunkenwith obsequious steps, was pouring handful after handful of gold coin and ingots into the large scales which Pereira caused to be held before hi heap
”The balance does not turn,” said Xavier; ”I claiirl”
”Baas,” said Otter in a low voice, and speaking in Dutch, ”have you lanced carelessly at the scales: they were tre on the turn
”As much as you like,” he said, ”but here is ill do it”