"Why, I should say as he's the blackest-hearted lubber ashore or afloat," said one.
"One word more," said Harkaway. "What should we do to this wretch if we had him here in our power?"
"Give him a round dozen, to begin with," suggested Sam Mason.
"And then string him up."
A cheer came from a score of throats.
"Men," said Harkaway, "this is the villain, Hunston."
A pause.
The men were so thoroughly taken by surprise at this that they had not a word to say for themselves.
"I was anxious to spare him," said Harkaway, in conclusion, "for although he has always been false, treacherous, and cruel, I could not forget that he was a fellow-countryman, and that we were boys together. I would have returned good for evil, he refused it; I now mean to try evil for evil."
The men applauded this to the echo.