“I speak!”
Absorbed in the scene, no one had noted Howard’s approach, but at the sound of his voice all faced him. His sea-stained clothes were torn, and there was a fleck of blood on his lip, but his glance was high.
“I speak,” he repeated. “Not for the prize, but for the honor of womanhood.” He turned to Forbes, who had flushed furiously at his appearance. “Ah! you craven,” he flared. “You thought you had me safe while you worked your coward will. Look better to your shackles next time.”
Three or four of the men had risen and were closing in on Howard, but Forbes waved them back. “Since you are here,” he remarked, nonchalantly, “do I understand that you offer as a candidate for the lady’s hand? If not, you have no standing.”
“I offer for anything that will save this lady from your insults.”
“Ah! So you do offer. That is well. That is in line with the very object of this ceremony and shows the wisdom of our laws. You and I will fight this out and bury all ill-feeling—in your grave. Kindly choose some one as second, and let’s get to work.”
Howard looked around him. “I’ll take my companion, Jackson,” he decided. “I suppose you’ve got him locked up somewhere.”
“Bring him,” ordered Forbes, calmly. He turned to Howard and began to take off his coat. “Get ready,” he ordered.
“You’ll give me fair play?”
“Surely. And marry you to the lady—if you win.”