Ah! how well he fires, my young friend; and, between you and me, I am obliged to admit that he is, in his way, a fine boy." "No matter how fine he is, Harris, he will pay dear for his insolence," replied Negoro, whose countenance expressed implacable cruelty.
"Good," murmured Harris, "my comrade remains just the same as I have always known him! Voyages have not injured him!" Then, after a moment's silence: "Ah, there, Negoro," continued he, "when I met you so fortunately there below, at the scene of the shipwreck, at the mouth of the Longa, you only had time to recommend those honest people to me, while begging me to lead them as far as possible across this pretended Bolivia.

You have not told me what you have been doing these two years! Two years, comrade, in our chance existence, is a long time.

One fine day, after having taken charge of a caravan of slaves on old Alvez's account--whose very humble agents we are--you left Cassange, and have not been heard of since! I have thought that you had some disagreement with the English cruiser, and that you were hung!" "I came very near it, Harris." "That will come, Negoro." "Thank you!" "What would you have ?" replied Harris, with an indifference quite philosophical; "it is one of the chances of the trade! We do not carry on the slave-trade on the coast of Africa without running the risk of dying elsewhere than in our beds! So, you have been taken ?" "Yes!" "By the English ?" "No! By the Portuguese." "Before or after having delivered your cargo ?" asked Harris.
"After--," replied Negoro, who had hesitated a little about replying.
"These Portuguese now make difficulties.

They want no more slavery, though they have used it so long to their profit.

I was denounced -- watched.