"There is fear and fear," said he; "how would you like for me to test you now?"
"To test me?"
"Yes; I can make you a proposition that will test your courage." His voice had become stern.
I hesitated. What was he going to do? I could not imagine. But I felt that to reject his offer would be to accept fully the position into which my fears were working to thrust me.
"Do it, Captain," said I; "make it. I want to be relieved of this suspense."
"No matter what danger you run? Is danger better than suspense concerning danger?"
I reflected again. At last I brought up all my nerve and replied, "Yes, Captain, danger is better than fear."
"Why did you hesitate? Was it through fear?"
"Yes," said I; "but not entirely through fear; I doubted that I had the right to incur danger uselessly."
"And how did you settle that?"