164 FOR THE FLAG

natures, one can see, who have restrained no passion and
refrained from no debauch. An idea has struck me—may
it not be, that after a long series of crime, robbery, fire,
murder, outrage of every kind committed in company, this
band of brothers has taken refuge in this cave, where they
may well believe themselves absolutely secure?

Count d’Artigas would then be no more than the leader
of a gang of miscreants, Spade and Serké his lieutenants,
and Backcup a pirates’ den.

Such is the thought which has become riveted in my
brain. I shall be much surprised if the future proves that
Iam mistaken. Besides, everything I have noticed in my
first exploration only confirms my opinion, and justifies
the gravest conclusions.

In any case, whomsoever they are, and whatever the
circumstances that brought them to this place, the Count’s
companions seem to have accepted his all-powerful rule
without reserve. But on the other hand, if a rigorous
discipline is maintained under his iron hand, there are
probably certain advantages which compensate the men
for the kind of servitude they have undertaken. What are
those compensations?

After walking round that part of the rock under which
the tunnel passes, I arrived on the opposite side of the
lagoon. As I had already perceived, the depdts on this
shore are for the merchandise brought by the schooner
every voyage: these are great hollows hewn out of the rock
which could contain and did contain an immense number
of bales.