Part 34 (1/2)

Robert put his pack, his greatcoat, his coat, and his belt with the pistols and ammunition in a heap, and looked carefully to the sword that he had taken from the captain's cabin. It was a fine weapon, though much lighter than the cutla.s.s. He bent the blade a little, and then made it whistle in curves about his head. He had a purpose in doing so, and it was attained at once. The captain looked at him with rising curiosity.

”Peter,” he said, ”you don't seem to be wholly unfamiliar with the sword, and you nothing but a cook's helper.”

”It's true, captain. The hilt fits lovingly into my hand. In my spare moments and when n.o.body was looking I've often stolen this sword of yours from the cabin and practiced with it. I mean now to make you feel the result of that practice.”

The captain gazed at him doubtfully, but in a moment or two the confident smile returned to his eyes. It was not possible that a mere stripling could stand before him and his cutla.s.s. But he took off his own coat which he had believed hitherto was a useless precaution.

There was a level s.p.a.ce about thirty feet across, and Robert, sword in hand, advanced toward the center of it. He had already chosen his course, which would be psychological as well as physical. He intended that the battle should play upon the slaver's mind as well as upon his body.

”I'm ready, captain,” he said. ”Don't keep us waiting. It's winter as you well know, and we'll both grow cold standing here. In weather like this we need work quick and warm.”

The angry blood surged into the captain's face, although it did not show through his tan. But he made an impatient movement, and stepped forward hastily.

”It can't be told of me that I kept a lad waiting,” he said. ”I'll warrant you you'll soon be warm enough.”

”Then we're both well suited, captain, and it should be a fine pa.s.sage at arms.”

The two sailors, sitting on the log, looked at each other and chuckled. It was evident to Robert that they had supreme confidence in the captain and expected to see Peter Smith receive a lesson that would put him permanently in his place. The mutual look and the mutual chuckle aroused some anger in Robert, but did not impair his certainty of victory. Nevertheless he neglected no precaution.

The captain advanced, holding the heavy cutla.s.s with ease and lightness. He was a tall and very strong man, and Robert noted the look of cruelty in the close-set eyes. He knew what he must expect in case of defeat, and again telling himself to be careful he recalled all the cunning that Willet had taught him.

”Are you ready?” he asked quietly.

”Aye, Peter, and your bad quarter of an hour is upon you.”

Again the two sailors on the log looked at each other and chuckled.

”I don't think so, captain,” said Robert. ”Perhaps the bad quarter of an hour is yours.”

He stared straight into the close-set cruel eyes so fixedly and so long that the captain lowered his gaze, proving that the superior strength of will lay with his younger opponent. Then he shook himself angrily, his temper stirred, because his eyes had given way.

”Begin!” said Robert.

The captain slashed with the heavy cutla.s.s, and Robert easily turned aside the blow with his lighter weapon. He saw then that the captain was no swordsman in the true sense, and he believed he had nothing to fear. He waited until the man attacked again, and again he deftly turned aside the blow.

The two sailors sitting on the log looked at each other once more, but they did not chuckle.

Robert, still watching the close-set cruel eyes, saw a look of doubt appear there.

”My bad quarter of an hour seems to be delayed, captain,” he said with irony.

The man, stung beyond endurance, attacked with fury, the heavy cutla.s.s singing and whistling as he slashed and thrust. Robert contented himself with the defense, giving ground slowly and moving about in a circle. The captain's eye at first glittered with a triumphant light as he saw his foe retreat, and the two sailors sitting on the log and exchanging looks found cause to chuckle once more.

But the light sank as they completed the circle, leaving Robert untouched, and breathing as easily as ever, while the captain was panting. Now he decided that his own time had come and knowing that the combat was mental as well as physical he taunted his opponent.

”In truth, captain,” he said, ”my bad quarter of an hour did not arrive, but yours, I think, is coming. Look! Look! See the red spot on your waistcoat!”

Despite himself the captain looked down. The sword flickered in like lightning, and then flashed away again, but when it was gone the red spot on the waistcoat was there. His flesh stung with a slight wound, but the wound to his spirit was deeper. He rushed in and slashed recklessly.

”Have a care, captain!” cried Robert. ”You are fencing very wildly! I tell you again that your play with the cutla.s.s is bad. You can't see it, but there is now a red spot on your cheek to match the one on your waistcoat.”