"Although you missed, you saved my life," I answered warmly. "'Tis an obligation I shall not forget."
He laid his fingers to his lips.
"Hark," he said.
I listened, and from the water-front came the thunderous voice of the bellman.
"Half-after-eight-o'clock, and a fine night with a south-west breeze. And all householders are cautioned they shall set out their lanthorns, and if any nightwalker shall injure the same he shall be fined twenty pounds for each offense and jailed in the Bridewell.
"And his Excellency the governor is pleased to proclaim that whereas divers persons have mocked, assailed or sought to humiliate Indian visitors to the city, the governor has made a rule that such persons, upon apprehension, shall be set in the stocks for twelve hours the first time and upon the second offense shall be publicly whipped at the cart's tail along the Broad-Way."
Ta-wan-ne-ars replaced his tomahawk in its sheath.
"There is no talk of obligations between brothers," he said. "Come, we will walk together to your tavern."