There is a traitor here : a double traitor : I will give you his
name before I am done; and let that suffice for now. But
here comes some other gentleman and asks me 'Why in the
devil I came back?' Well, before I answer that question, I
have one to put to you. It was this cur here, this Harris,
that speaks Hindoostanee?" cries he, rising on one knee and
pointing fair at the man's face, with a gesture indescribably
menacing ; and when he had been answered in the affirma-
tive, "Ah!" says he, "then are aU my suspicions verified,
and I did rightly to come back. Now, men, hear the truth
for the first time. ' ' Thereupon he launched forth in a long
story, told with extraordinary skill how he had all along
suspected Harris, how he had found the confirmation of his
fears, and how Harris must have misrepresented what
passed between Secundra and himself. At this point he
made a bold stroke with excellent effect. "I suppose," says
he, "you think you are going shares with Harris, I suppose
you think you will see to that yourselves ; you would natu-
rally not think so flat a rogue could cozen you. But have



253 U/orKs of f^obert Couis Steuepsoij

a care! These half idiots have a sort of cunning, as the
skunk has its stench; and it may be news to you that Harris
has taken care of himself already. Yes, for him the treas-
ure is all money in the bargain. You must find it or go
starve. But he has been paid beforehand; my brother paid
him to destroy me ; look at him, if you doubt — look at him,
grinning and gulping, a detected thief!" Thence, having
made this happy impression, he explained how he had
escaped, and thought better of it, and at last concluded
to come back, lay the truth before the company, and take
his chance with them once more : persuaded, as he was, they
would instantly depose Harris and elect some other leader.
