I was about to propose it to you." The fact is, the captain had quite another idea, and would have wished his friends a hundred leagues off.

But he was obliged to make the best of it.

He addressed the two gentlemen in Spanish, giving them a polite invitation, which they accepted.

They all turned towards the entrance of the fort, and, the incident being at an end, the eight soldiers returned to their delightful leisure, for a moment disturbed by this unexpected adventure..