"Mayhap, Master Carver, it is more than thou couldst do. But I will not keep thee; thou art not pleasant company to-night. All I want is a light for my lanthorn, and a glass of schnapps, if thou hast it."
"What is become of thy light then? Good for thee, I am not on duty."
"A great owl flew between me and Pliclps, as we watched beside the culverin, and so scared was he at our fierce bright eyes that he fell and knocked the light out."
"Likely tale, or likely lie, Charles! We will have the truth to-morrow. Here take thy light, and be gone with thec. All virtuous men are in bed now."
"Then so will I be; and why art thou not? Ha, have I earned my schnapps now?"
"If thou hast, thou hast paid a bad debt: there is too much in thee already. Be off! my patience is done with."
Then he slammed the door in the young man's face, having kindled his lanthorn by this time: and Charlie went up to the watch-place again, muttering as he passed me, "Bad look-out for all of us, when that surly old beast is Captain. No gentle blood in him, no hospitality, not even pleasant language, nor a good new oath in his frowsy pate! I've a mind to cut the whole of it; and but for the girls I would so."
My heart was in my mouth, as they say, when I stood in the shade by Lorna's window, and whispered her name gently. The house was of one storey only, as the others were, with pine-ends standing forth the
