reached for an empty tankard, and thereupon got the end of my
staff driven shrewdly into his midriff so that he sank to the
floor and lay gasping.

"Nay now, shipmate," quoth the plump man in wheedling tone but
round eyes snapping, "here's lubberly manners, sink and scuttle
me--"

"Open the door!" says I.

"Heartily--heartily!" says he, his eye upon my cudgel, and edging
to the door, drew the bolts and set it wide.

"Woman," quoth I, "run!"

With never a word the maid sprang erect, caught her torn cloak
about her and, speeding across the room, was gone; whereupon the
lank fellow sat him down and fell a-cursing viciously in Spanish
and English, the plump man clicked his teeth and grinned, while
'Rings,' leaning against the wall, clasped his belly and groaned.

"Well so, my bully roarer, and what now?" demanded the plump man,
softly.

"Why now," says I, "'twas share and share alike, I mind--"

"Aye, but she's off, slipped her moorings d'ye see, my good lad,
and be damned t' ye wi' all my heart," said the little plump man,
smiling, but with the devil peeping through his narrowed lids.