engine in gear again for another shot.

But for my part I saw nothing of this disgusting scene. I
heard the bolt grate stealthily against the door of the little
temple in which I was imprisoned, and was minded to give these
brutish rebels somewhat of a surprise. I had rid myself of my
bonds handily enough; I had rubbed my limbs to that perfect
suppleness which is always desirable before a fight; and I had
planned to rush out so soon as the door was swung, and kill those
that came first with fist blows on the brow and chin.

They had not suspected my name, it was clear, for my stature
and garb were nothing out of the ordinary; but if my bodily
strength and fighting power had been sufficient to raise me to a
vice-royalty like that of Yucatan, and let me endure alive in that
government throughout twenty hard-battling years, why, it was
likely that this rabble of savages would see something that was new
and admirable in the practice of arms before the crude weight of
their numbers could drag me down. Nay, I did not even despair of
winning free altogether. I must find me a weapon from those that
came up to battle, with which I could write worthy signatures, and
I must attempt no standing fights. Gods! but what a glow the
prospect did send through me as I stood there waiting.

A vainer man, writing history, might have said that always,
before everything else, he held in mind the greater interests
before the less. But for me--I prefer to be honest, and own myself
human. In my glee at that forthcoming fight--which promised to be
the greatest and most furious I had known in all a long life of
battling--I will confess that Atlantis and her differing policies