Hark to them now, young sir, and say if I speak not
sooth."
As he spoke, there sounded high above the shriek of the gale and
the straining of the timbers a gust of oaths with a roar of
deep-chested mirth from the gamblers in the forecastle.
"Can I be of avail?" asked Alleyne. "Say the word and the thing
is done, if two hands may do it."
"Nay, nay, your head I can see is still totty, and i' faith
little head would you have, had your bassinet not stood your
friend. All that may be done is already carried out, for we have
stuffed the gape with sails and corded it without and within.
Yet when we bale our bowline and veer the sheet our lives will
hang upon the breach remaining blocked. See how yonder headland
looms upon us through the mist! We must tack within three arrow
flights, or we may find a rock through our timbers. Now, St.
Christopher be praised! here is Sir Nigel, with whom I may
confer."
"I prythee that you will pardon me," said the knight, clutching
his way along the bulwark. "I would not show lack of courtesy
toward a worthy man, but I was deep in a matter of some weight,
concerning which, Alleyne, I should be glad of your rede.
Pages:
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344