"'Well, I'm a sailor myself,' says I, 'and an Englishman. So, mind yourself!' And I goes for him blind.
"He never budge: just blew his whistle; and a dozen of em sprang out o nowhere.
"'Unclasp his little arms,' says Diamond. 'He thinks I'm his lady-bird.'
"Just then a whistle sounded rithe away acrost the Weald. Another nearer took it up, and another—like partridges callin on a summer's evening.
"'Here he comes,' says Diamond, glass to his eye. 'Reube,' says he, 'there's things good kids such as you are best not seein. Boys, take him to the top o Deepdene, and give him a tilt down. Gently does it,' says he. 'He's an honester man nor any o you.'
"So cardingly they march me away.
"But I hadn't gone above a dozen steps, when I heard him comin a'ter me.
"'Reube,' says he, kind o shy-like, 'I suppose you won't shake with an old ship-mate?'
"'No,' says I, 'I don't shake with no —— traitors.'
"He drops his hand.