"Look'ee," says I, laying a groat upon the table, "there's my
all--come turn out your pockets--"

"Pockets!" murmured the plump man, "Lord love me, what's this?
Here's us cheated of a bit of daintiness, here's Abner wi' all
the wind knocked out o' him and now here's you for thieving and
robbing three poor lorn sailor-men as never raised hand agin ye--
shame, shipmate."

"Od rot your bones!" snarled the one-eyed man and spat towards
me, whereat I raised my staff and he, lifting an arm, took the
blow on his elbow-joint and writhed, cursing; but while I laughed
at the fellow's contortions, the plump man sprang (marvellous
nimble) and dashed out the light and, as I stepped from before
the window, I heard the lattice go with a crash of glass.
Followed a long, tense moment wherein we all (as I judge) held
our breath, for though the storm yet roared beyond the shattered
casement, within was a comparative quiet. Thus, as I stood in
the dark listening for some rustle, some stealthy creeping step
to guide my next blow, I thrust away my pistol and changing my
staff to my right hand, drew forth the broad-bladed sailor's
knife I carried, and so waited mighty eager and alert, but heard
only the far-off booming of the wind. Then a floorboard creaked
faintly to my left, and turning short, I whirled my staff, felt
it strike home and heard a fierce cry and the uneven tread of
staggering feet.

"Fight, rogues!" cried I. "Here's meat and drink to me--fight!"
and setting my back to the wall I waited for their rush. Instead
I heard a hoarse whispering, lost all at once in a woman's shrill