Похищенный
Chapter 11
Riach,“andifhedid,I’lltellyethehonesttruth,wecouldnaegetthementofollow.”
“Isthatso?”saidI.
“I’lltellyemorethanthat,”saidhe.“It’snotonlythemen;it’sme.I’mfrich’ened,Davie.”Andhesmiledacrossatme.“No,”hecontinued,“whatwewantistobeshutofhim.”
ThereuponIconsultedwithAlan,andtheparleywasagreedtoandparolegivenuponeitherside;butthiswasnotthewholeofMr.Riach’sbusiness,andhenowbeggedmeforadramwithsuchinstancyandsuchremindersofhisformerkindness,thatatlastIhandedhimapannikinwithaboutagillofbrandy.Hedrankapart,andthencarriedtherestdownuponthedeck,toshareit(Isuppose)withhissuperior.
Alittleafter,thecaptaincame(aswasagreed)tooneofthewindows,andstoodthereintherain,withhisarminasling,andlookingsternandpale,andsooldthatmyheartsmotemeforhavingfireduponhim.
Alanatonceheldapistolinhisface.
“Putthatthingup!”saidthecaptain.“HaveInotpassedmyword,sir?ordoyeseektoaffrontme?”
“Captain,”saysAlan,“Idoubtyourwordisabreakable.Lastnightyehaggledandargle-bargledlikeanapple-wife;andthenpassedmeyourword,andgavemeyourhandtobackit;andyekenverywellwhatwastheupshot.Bedamnedtoyourword!”sayshe.
“Well,well,sir,”saidthecaptain,“ye’llgetlittlegoodbyswearing.”(Andtrulythatwasafaultofwhichthecaptainwasquitefree.)“Butwehaveotherthingstospeak,”hecontinued,bitterly.
