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Chapter 9
“Andthatwillbebetterwork,letmetellyou,”saidhe,“foragentlemanofdecentbirth,thanscrapingplatesandraxingdramstoawheentarrysailors.”
Thereuponhestoodupinthemidstwithhisfacetothedoor,anddrawinghisgreatsword,madetrialoftheroomhehadtowielditin.
“Imuststicktothepoint,”hesaid,shakinghishead;“andthat’sapity,too.Itdoesn’tsetmygenius,whichisallfortheupperguard.And,now,”saidhe,“doyoukeeponchargingthepistols,andgiveheedtome.”
ItoldhimIwouldlistenclosely.Mychestwastight,mymouthdry,thelightdarktomyeyes;thethoughtofthenumbersthatweresoontoleapinuponuskeptmyheartinaflutter:andthesea,whichIheardwashingroundthebrig,andwhereIthoughtmydeadbodywouldbecasteremorning,raninmymindstrangely.
“Firstofall,”saidhe,“howmanyareagainstus?”
Ireckonedthemup;andsuchwasthehurryofmymind,Ihadtocastthenumberstwice.“Fifteen,”saidI.
Alanwhistled.“Well,”saidhe,“thatcan’tbecured.Andnowfollowme.Itismyparttokeepthisdoor,whereIlookforthemainbattle.Inthat,yehavenohand.Andmindanddinnaefiretothissideunlesstheygetmedown;forIwouldratherhavetenfoesinfrontofmethanonefriendlikeyoucrackingpistolsatmyback.”
Itoldhim,indeedIwasnogreatshot.
“Andthat’sverybravelysaid,”hecried,inagreatadmirationofmycandour.“There’smanyaprettygentlemanthatwouldnaedaretosayit
