II
He was all in black, and very neat: an Englishman, a gentleman, and a parson, Kit would have sworn.
His back was turned. The boy could see nothing but a black coat, a pair of solid shoulders, and a curly head.
This was not the hymn-singer to be sure. He was otherwise engaged. There was something across his knees, and he was tending to it, and talking as he worked.
From his actions and his words, Kit would have sworn that he was bathing a child. For the man was talking as women talk to babies, and some men to the women they love—that little talk, half tender, half mocking, such nonsense, and so sweet.
Then something flashed and sparkled against the dark of the door; and Kit saw it was no babe that lay across the man's knees, but a naked blade.
He was furbishing it with a chamois leather, and caressing it with words.
Now he lifted the blade on flat hands, and kissed the point reverently.
Then he leaned forward, and peered round the half open door with extraordinary stealth.
Comic as the action was, there was yet something terrible about it.
Kit choked with laughter and fear.
The man was half child playing peep-bo! and half spider waiting for a fly.
That vision of the Eternal Child, which he had surprised in the eyes of old Ding-dong sailing into action, was manifest in this man too.
Were men only children?—Yes, surely!—the good ones, at least. Only sinners grew old. Christian never ages.
The man's head turned a trifle. There was a smile flickering about his lips; and in the smile was something of the ogre, and something of the boy.
It was clear that he meant to kill; equally clear that he took joy in his purpose.
He sat down again; and as he did so held up a finger, hushing himself.
He was playing a game, unaware that he was being watched, and enjoying it intensely.
Behind the door he sat now, blade in hand, spider-still.
Plainly he was waiting for somebody.
But for whom?—and what would happen when that somebody came?
The door opened another inch or two, and through it, Kit saw the privateer, black on the white water.
In a flash he understood.
The man was waiting for the French.