My husband met them alone, fought their
would-be leaders one by one, and forced the election to fall upon
himself. Well he knew that if he left not that isle their leader, he
would leave it their captive; and not he alone! God's mercy,
gentlemen, what other could he do? I pray you to hold him
absolved from a willing embrace of that life! Sunk ships of Spain!
Yea, forsooth; and how long hath it been since other English
gentlemen sunk other ships of Spain? The world hath changed
indeed if to fight the Spaniard in the Indies, e'en though at home
we be at peace with him, be conceived so black a crime! He fought
their galleons fair and knightly, with his life in his hand; he gave
quarter, and while they called him chief those pirates tortured no
prisoner and wronged no woman. Had he not been there, would the
ships have been taken less surely? Had he not been there, God wot,
ships and ships' boats alike would have sunk or burned, and no
Spanish men and women had rowed away and blessed a generous
foe. A pirate! He, with me and with the minister and with my Lord
Carnal, was prisoner to the pirates, and out of that danger he
plucked safety for us all! Who hath so misnamed a gallant
gentleman? Was it you, my lord?"
Eyes and voice were imperious, and in her cheeks burned an
indignant crimson. My lord's face was set and white; he looked at
her, but spoke no word.
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