Somehow the boy was not very much afraid. It was all too dream-like.
He heard his heart thundering far-away on the remotest shores of being.
He heard his own voice speaking, and was surprised at it—how steady
it was, and how small!
It was saying,
"I'm a King's officer. That's a King's ship. There are about a thousand men on board. It's all no go. D'you give in?"
The man grinned sardonically. Then his head fell forward. He lurched horribly. The tiller slipped from under his arm. The lugger fell away, and lay on the water like a wounded bird.
Then Kit understood.
Black Diamond was dead.
II
The boy's mind relaxed like a burst bladder.
He began to laugh.
Where was he?