Похищенный
Chapter 10
Alittleafter,andtherecameaclashofsteeluponthedeck,bywhichIknewtheyweredealingoutthecutlassesandonehadbeenletfall;andafterthat,silenceagain.
IdonotknowifIwaswhatyoucallafraid;butmyheartbeatlikeabird’s,bothquickandlittle;andtherewasadimnesscamebeforemyeyeswhichIcontinuallyrubbedaway,andwhichcontinuallyreturned.Asforhope,Ihadnone;butonlyadarknessofdespairandasortofangeragainstalltheworldthatmademelongtosellmylifeasdearasIwasable.Itriedtopray,Iremember,butthatsamehurryofmymind,likeamanrunning,wouldnotsuffermetothinkuponthewords;andmychiefwishwastohavethethingbeginandbedonewithit.
Itcameallofasuddenwhenitdid,witharushoffeetandaroar,andthenashoutfromAlan,andasoundofblowsandsomeonecryingoutasifhurt.Ilookedbackovermyshoulder,andsawMr.Shuaninthedoorway,crossingbladeswithAlan.
“That’shimthatkilledtheboy!”Icried.
“Looktoyourwindow!”saidAlan;andasIturnedbacktomyplace,Isawhimpasshisswordthroughthemate’sbody.
Itwasnonetoosoonformetolooktomyownpart;formyheadwasscarcebackatthewindow,beforefivemen,carryingaspareyardforabattering-ram,ranpastmeandtookposttodrivethedoorin.Ihadneverfiredwithapistolinmylife,andnotoftenwithagun;farlessagainstafellow-creature.Butitwasnowornever;andjustastheyswangtheyard,Icriedout:“Takethat!”andshotintotheirmidst.