Diccon, standing behind him, bit
his nails and stared at the floor.
"For myself I care not overmuch," ended the minister. "I scorn not
life, but think it at its worst well worth the living; yet when my
God calls me, I will go as to a gala day and triumph. You are a
soldier, Captain Percy, you and Diccon here, and know how to die.
You too, my Lord Carnal, are a brave man, though a most wicked
one. For us four, we can drink the cup, bitter though it be, with
little trembling. But there is one among us" - His great voice broke,
and he sat staring at the table.
The King's ward uncovered her eyes. "If I be not a man and a
soldier, Master Sparrow," she said simply, "yet I am the daughter
of many valiant gentlemen. I will die as they died before me. And
for me, as for you four, it will be only death, - naught else." She
looked at me with a proud smile.
"Naught else," I said.
My lord started from his seat and strode over to the window, where
he stood drumming his fingers against the casing. I turned toward
him. "My Lord Carnal," I said, "you were overheard last night
when you plotted with the Spaniard."
He recoiled with a gasp, and his hand went to his side, where it
found no sword. I saw his eyes busy here and there through the
cabin, seeking something which he might convert into a weapon.
"I am yet captain of this ship," I continued.
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