The King cut him short. “It is to the King and not to the trader that you speak now,” he said, as he picked up Bassett’s revolver. “Do not compel me to shoot you where you stand. It is better that you should have a few hours to arrange your affairs. Shortly before midnight, remember.”
Bassett turned away in silence. Certainly the white men would act together and stop an outrage of this kind. He must see Sir John and Dr Pryce at once.
The King was transformed immediately from a stern judge into a courteous man. He made many apologies to Lechworthy. He brought news from the Snowflake, from which he had just returned. The wind had got up so suddenly that there had been no time to send for Lechworthy; the schooner had run for the lee of the island.
“I think, Mr Lechworthy, that the English have a proverb that it is an ill wind which blows nobody any good. I confess that I am very glad to get this opportunity of speaking with you. You can help us very much in this island if you will. Of course my palace in the interior will be entirely at the disposal of yourself and your niece. A guard will be placed there, and I can guarantee your personal safety. I will do my best for your comfort. And in a day or two, when the hurricane has blown itself out, you shall go on your way again if you will.”
“We owe you our lives, sir,” said Mr Lechworthy with some dignity. “And now we must thank you for your hospitality as well. It is as though God had sent you to save us. We shall come to you willingly and with the utmost gratitude.”
“Yes, indeed,” said Hilda.
“Perhaps,” said the King, “you will do me a greater service than anything I am able to do for you. Now, if you will follow me back to the next clearing, some of my people will be waiting for us.”
“There’s just one thing,” said Hilda, hesitatingly. She had never spoken to a King before, and she was rather shy about it.
“Yes?” said the King, smiling. “The schooner? It will be quite safe.”
“I’m afraid,” said Hilda, “that I meant—er—clothes.”