His was
a cruel look; if I had expected, as assuredly I did not expect, mercy
or generosity from this my dearest foe, his look would have struck
such a hope dead. Presently he beckoned to the men behind him.
"Put the manacles upon him first," he said, with a jerk of his thumb
toward Sparrow.
The man who had come down last, and who carried irons enough
to fetter six pirates, started forward to do my lord's bidding. The
master glanced at Sparrow's great frame, and pulled out a pistol.
The minister laughed. "You'll not need it, friend. I know when the
odds are too great." He held out his arms, and the men fettered
them wrist to wrist. When they had finished he said calmly: " 'I
have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a
green bay tree. Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I
sought him, but he could not be found.' "
My lord turned from him, and pointed to me. He kept his eyes
upon my face while they shackled me hand and foot; then said
abruptly, "You have cords there: bind his arms to his sides." The
men wound the cords around me many times. "Draw them tight,"
commanded my lord.
There came a wrathful clank of the minister's chains. "The arm is
torn and inflamed from shoulder to wrist, as I make no doubt you
have been told!" he cried. "For very shame, man!"
"Draw them tighter," said my lord, between his teeth.
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