But the half dozen I had taken
off Argall's hands; the Dutchmen who might have been own
brothers to those two Judases, Adam and Francis; the thief and the
highwayman I had bought from the precious crew sent us by the
King the year before; the negro and the Indians - small wonder that
she shrank and cowered. It was but for a moment. I was yet
seeking for words sufficiently reassuring when she was herself
again. She did not deign to notice the men's awkward salute, and
when Diccon, a handsome rogue enough, advancing to light us up
the bank, brushed by her something too closely, she drew away her
skirts as though he had been a lazar. At my own door I turned and
spoke to the men, who had followed us up the ascent.
"This lady," I said, taking her hand as she stood beside me, "is my
true and lawful wife, your mistress, to be honored and obeyed as
such. Who fails in reverence to her I hold as mutinous to myself,
and will deal with him accordingly. She gives you to-morrow for
holiday, with double rations, and to each a measure of rum. Now
thank her properly."
They cheered lustily, of course, and Diccon, stepping forward,
gave us thanks in the name of them all, and wished us joy. After
which, with another cheer, they backed from out our presence,
then turned and made for their quarters, while I led my wife within
the house and closed the door.
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