Phroso

jackets. It was no more than just dusk, and I saw that they were strangers to me. One was tall and broad, the other shorter and of very slight build. T

his wish: so we stood, Denny and I at one window, Hogvardt and Watkins at the other, and quietly watched the approaching figures. No more appeared; the main body did not show itself, and the sound of the fierce chant had suddenly died away. But the next moment a third man came in sight

farther out,' said I to Denny. 'It may

nough now for me to distinguish the last comer, and I discerned in him, although he had d

trol!' I groaned, laying a deta

ere is no use in denying it; for we thought that the bombardment had really begun. Yet no shot followed, and after an instant, holding Denny down, I peered out cautiously myself. The three stood motionless, their aim full on us. The other five were advancing warily, well under the shelter of the rock, two on the left side of the road and three on the right. The slim boyish fellow was with Constantine on the left; a moment later the other three dashed across the road and

im not to show his face at the window. Then I stood in the shelter of the wall, so that I could not

'is a great deal harder

s gun, the boy's hand resting with jaunty elegance on the handle of the knife in his girdle, the others leapt over the hurdles. Crack! went the rifle, and a cow fell. I reloaded hastily. Crack! and the

did not stay there long, for three shots rang out, and the bullets pattered on

kins in a regretful tone. He had seen

at which I could not take aim without showing myself at the window. I dared not look out to see what they were doing. But presently Hogvardt risked a glance, and called out that they were in retreat and had rejoined the three, and that the whole body stood togethe

r to-night,' said I, glad

began to retreat along the road, moving briskly out of our sight. We were left

ogvardt. 'Couldn't we drag one in, my lord, an

down on to the smoother ground of the road and hauled it along with a will. Alas, that shout was a great indiscretion! I had been too hasty in assuming that our enemy was quite gone. We heard suddenly the rush of feet; shots whistled over our heads. We had but just time to drop the rope and turn round, when Denny's rifle rang out, and then-somebody was at us! I really do not know exactly how many there were. I had two at me, but by great good luck I drove my big knife into one fellow's arm at

ard to maintain in

ried Denn

. Watkins said nothing, but for onc

k, wavered, halted, turned, and ran. A shout of triumph from Denny told me that the battle was going well there. Fired with victory, I set myself for a chase. But, alas, my pride was checked. Before I had gone

m down over this infernal cow.' It was an ing

retreat; their steps pattered quick along the rocky roa

t's our tric

I asked, scram

aze of a knife on the left arm. Denny was unhurt. We had reason to suppose that we had l

ke to stick to my point-'and then we migh

nt to the door with the intention of securing it. But before I shut it, I stood for a moment on the step, looking out on the night and sniffing the sweet, clear, pure air. It was in quiet moments like these, not in such a tumult as had just passed, that I had pictured my beautiful island; and the love of it came on me now and made me swear that these fellows and their arch-ruffian Constantin

e of those poor beggars we mauled?' For the sound was a faint distressed sigh, as of somebody in suffering; it seemed to come from out of the darkness about a dozen yards ahead of me. My first impulse was to go straight to the spot, but I had begun by now to doubt whether the Neopalians were not unsophisticated in

ided by the lantern, had come on the quarry; bu

ed down and examined the prostrate form. 'By heaven, I believe he's not touched-yes,

lare of the lantern. The bump was not such a very small one, but it could hardly have been made by any of our weapons, fo

ord, as you did on the cow,'

ery little thought to the question, f

as stunned; and they didn't notice it in the dark, or wer

aid I. 'It won't hurt

f: for the boy was strikingly handsome. I was last in and barred the door. Denny had set our prisoner down in an armchair, where he sat now, conscious

ng early. Lifting cattle and taking murder in the day's w

lurred indistinct kind of voice t

of your infernal gang's outside and going to

natched the lantern from Hogvardt. But I paused before I broug

snooze if you like. I'll look after this young

all with the prisoner; soon merry voices from the kitchen told me that the battle

table and began to hum softly that wretched chant of One-Eyed Al

uch eyes; I could not conscientiously except even Beatrice Hipgrave's, which were in their way quite fi

hat! Not that,

and I was smiling now. The whole episod

ed out some water and gave it to him. He took it with a trembling hand-the hand

. 'You came to steal my cattle, and murder m

hed out at m

you'd surrender if we

cornfully. 'I suppose y

oy stopped short, looked round him, and said in a su

ve run away, and you are in my hands.

urve, but he made no answer. I

re yesterday, of that poor old man

harply; the voice had lost its d

e a judge,' I retorted grimly. 'Anyhow, he was foully stabbed

rose for a moment to his feet with a proud air, only to sink

by meat and drink and in the highe

prisoner?

him,' I said, and as I spoke I moved the lantern, s

fully. 'Because I thought, Charley, we m

ed, casting a glance at the captive

g whip in his hand; he must have found it in the kitchen. 'We'll give the young ruffian a taste of this, if he's obstin

the proud young face, while Denny could

I asked. 'Will you tell

trouble in his face, and his eye

in cheerful barbarity; 'upon my word, he richl

ked him anythi

g. Look here, who was the

to Greek. But the prisoner's eyes told me that h

efiance and fear stru

forms and could now get to business; and he drew the lash of the whip through his finger

nny-it was thus that I thought of Denny at the moment; then once ag

t more pluck than that,' said Denny scornfu

. His face was buried in those slim hands of his. For a moment he was quite still: then he moved a l

, Denny,' said I. 'He may tel

nded Denny, suspiciously. 'You never

n't speak to me firs

won't?' ins

and you still wish it, y

did not seek to conceal his opinion of my foolish

avely. 'You're not fit for the

w look, as the boy's han

their head? How came you, who ought to shun the society of men like C

e in the white glare of Hogvardt's lantern. I came a

ou? What's

mmered the prisoner. '

ing? You heard what

ace utterly pale, but with eyes that w

ed a lo

. But I had my last weapon still, my last question. I turned the lantern full on his face, I leant forward again,

lly wear-cloth

e haughty eyes sank. I saw long drooping lashes and a burn

mile on his broad face; in came Watkins with his impassive acquiescence in anything that hi

?' cried Denny. It was plain th

zen questions,' said I, 'an

d Denny, with wo

hink that I was cruel. In that night much had occurred to breed viciousness in a man of the most equa

course, Denny, but I don't see very

f lips, while the lady herself dropped her head on the tabl

'this lady is the

o else, I also asked myself, save the daughter of the noble house, would boast the air, the hands, the face, tha