The motley population of New Orleans was used
to all kinds of people, armed or unarmed, but generally armed. These,
however, were different. They bore themselves with dignity, there was
about them an air of absolute simplicity and honesty, and they kept close
together in a manner that indicated a faithful brotherhood, closer even
than the brotherhood of blood. They seemed to come from another world than
that which furnished so many desperate adventurers and former galley
slaves to New Orleans.
Henry noticed the attention that they were attracting, and he did not like
it.
"Perhaps, boys, we'd better go back to our boat," he said.
But before any one could answer he was tapped lightly on the arm and,
turning about, he saw the small, trim figure of Lieutenant Diego Bernal,
who had been the first man to greet them as they entered New Orleans.
"We met on the water, as you know," said the little lieutenant, smiling in
a friendly manner. "My name is Bernal, Diego Bernal, and I am a lieutenant
in the service of our most excellent Governor General, Bernardo Galvez."
His manner was polite, and Henry met him half way. He had nothing to
conceal, and he gave him the names of his comrades and himself. Lieutenant
Bernal all the time was regarding them shrewdly.
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