Викрадений

           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.