Fiction > Book editions > London, 1886 - Kidnapped

84
CHAPTER  X.
THE  SIEGE  OF  THE   ROUND-HOUSE.
BUT now our time of truce was come to an end. Those
on deck had waited for my coming till they grew
impatient; and scarce had Alan spoken, when the
captain showed face in the open door.
'Stand!" cried Alan, and pointed his sword at him.
The captain stood, indeed; but he neither winced
nor drew back a foot.
"A naked sword?" says he. "This is a strange
return for hospitality."
"Do ye see me?" said Alan. "I am come of
kings; I bear a king's name. My badge is the oak.
Do ye see my sword ? It has slashed the heads off mair
Whigamores than you have toes upon your feet. Call
up your vermin to your back, sir, and fall on! The
sooner the clash begins, the sooner ye'll taste this steel
throughout your vitals."
The captain said nothing to Alan, but he looked
over at me with an ugly look. "David," said he, "I'll
mind this;" and the sound of his voice went through
me with a jar.
Next moment he was gone.
"And now," said Alan, "let your hand keep your
head, for the grip is coming."