Part 33 (2/2)
”And so this is Acadia,” he said. ”I've been wondering what land it might be. I did not know that we had come so far. Acadia is a long way from New York.”
”A long, long way, Peter.”
”But you know the coast well, of course, captain?”
”Of course. I've made several voyages in the neighboring waters. There's only one settlement within fifty miles of us, and you'd never find it, it's so small and the wilderness is such a maze.”
”The country does look like much of a puzzle, but I've concluded, captain, that I won't go with you.”
”Why not?”
”I'm persuaded that you're the very prince of liars, and in your company my morals might be contaminated.”
The man's face was too tanned to flush, but his eyes sparkled.
”You're over loose with words, lad,” he said, ”and it's an expensive habit.”
”I can afford it. I know as surely as we're sitting here facing each other that this is not the coast of Acadia.”
”Then what coast is it?”
”That I know not, but taking the time, I mean to have, I shall find out. Then I'll tell you if you wish to know. Where shall I deliver my message?”
”I think you're insolent. I say again that it's the coast of Acadia, and you're going with us. We're three to your one, and you'll have to do as I say.”
Robert turned his gaze from the captain to his two men. While their faces were far from good they showed no decision of character. He knew at once that they belonged to the large cla.s.s of men who are always led. Both carried pistols, but he did not think it likely that they would attempt to use them, unless the captain did so first. His gaze came back to the tall man, and, observing again the heavy cutla.s.s he carried, a thought leaped up in his mind.
”You wish me to go with you,” he said, ”and I don't wish to go, which leaves it an open question. It's best to decide it in clean and decisive fas.h.i.+on, and I suggest that we leave it to your cutla.s.s and my sword.”
The close-set eyes of the captain gleamed.
”I don't want to kill you, but to take you back alive,” he said. ”You were always a strong and handy lad, Peter, and I need your help.”
”You won't kill me. That I promise you.”
”You haven't a chance on earth.”
”You pledge your word that your men will not interfere while the combat is in progress, nor will they do so afterward, if I win.”
”They will not stir. Remain where you are, lads.”
The two sailors settled themselves back comfortably, clasping their knees with their hands, and Robert knew that he had nothing to fear from them. Their confidence in the captain's prowess and easy victory was sufficient a.s.surance. They were not to be blamed for the belief, as their leader's cutla.s.s was heavy and his opponent was only a youth. The captain was of the same opinion and his mood became light and gay.
”I don't intend to kill you, Peter,” he said, ”but a goodly cut or two will let out some of your impertinent blood.”
”Thanks, captain, for so much saving grace, because I like to live. I make you the same promise. I don't want your death on my hands, but there is poison in the veins of a man who is willing to be a slaver. I will let it out, in order that its place may be taken by pure and wholesome blood.”
The captain frowned, and made a few swings with his cutla.s.s. Then he ran a finger along its keen edge, and he felt satisfied with himself. A vast amount of rage and mortification was confined in his system, and not charging any of it to the storm, the full volume of his anger was directed against his cook's former a.s.sistant, Peter Smith, who was entirely too jaunty and independent in his manner. He could not understand Robert's presumption in challenging him to a combat with swords, but he would punish him cruelly, while the two sailors looked on and saw it well done.
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