“Save me, save me!” sobbed Ellen.
“Peace, lass, thou art safe,” said Captain Jack. “And as for thee,” said he, turning towards the king with a gesture of disgust, “as for thee, more anon.”
“How, knave, wouldst thou dare to stand there prating to your superior, when with one word I could have thee hanged? You know not who nor what I am.”
“Nor do I want to know, sirrah; and mark me do not let thy tongue wag so carelessly, for by my word, be you king or peasant, I’ll make a lame duck of ye. Out upon thee, man! would ye, like a cowardly interloper, come poaching on these strange grounds, when you know the master is away?”
“What mean ye, impudent rogue?”
“Mean? why, I mean that you had not courage to try your fortune here while Colonel Blood was at home; but, like a clown, must crawl in when he had gone away.”
“You seem to know all this?”
“I do,” said Captain Jack, telling a lie. “I know not only all you would have done, but who you are, for all your disguise.”
“You do?” said the king; “then, as you know me, stranger, reveal not my name or station.”
And as he spoke he placed one finger on his lip in token of silence.