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Chapter 9
Thefogwasascloseasever,buttheswellalmostdown.Theyhadlaidthebrigto,notknowingpreciselywheretheywere,andthewind(whatlittletherewasofit)notservingwellfortheirtruecourse.Someofthehandswerestillhearkeningforbreakers;butthecaptainandthetwoofficerswereinthewaistwiththeirheadstogether.Itstruckme(Idon’tknowwhy)thattheywereafternogood;andthefirstwordIheard,asIdrewsoftlynear,morethanconfirmedme.
ItwasMr.Riach,cryingoutasifuponasuddenthought:“Couldn’twewilehimoutoftheround-house?”
“He’sbetterwhereheis,”returnedHoseason;“hehasn’troomtousehissword.”
“Well,that’strue,”saidRiach;“buthe’shardtocomeat.”
“Hut!”saidHoseason.“Wecangetthemanintalk,oneuponeachside,andpinhimbythetwoarms;orifthat’llnothold,sir,wecanmakearunbyboththedoorsandgethimunderhandbeforehehasthetimetodraw.”
Atthishearing,Iwasseizedwithbothfearandangeratthesetreacherous,greedy,bloodymenthatIsailedwith.Myfirstmindwastorunaway;mysecondwasbolder.
“Captain,”saidI,“thegentlemanisseekingadram,andthebottle’sout.Willyougivemethekey?”
Theyallstartedandturnedabout.
“Why,here’sourchancetogetthefirearms!”
Riachcried;andthentome:“Harkye,David,”hesaid,“doyekenwherethepistolsare?”
“Ay,ay,”putinHoseason.“Davidkens;David’sagoodlad.
