“Stop it,� I cried, doubling my fist,—this was no assumed rage either, for my blood was boiling and I could scarce restrain myself longer. “This is my own affair.�
The men fell back. They forgot for the moment their advantage in numbers.
“Well, that is agreed at last,� said Pimball reluctantly enough, “you takes the woman, we takes the treasure.�
“Agreed,� said I.
“Is that right, mates?� he asked of the rest.
“Right O,� was the answer.
“It’s all settled then,� said I, “but no—�
“Bring out the gal then an’ let’s see her,� suddenly began one of the men, stepping forward.
I don’t know whether I could have controlled myself any further or not. I rose to my feet, my hand clutching the pistol. The lights danced before my eyes I was so furiously angered. I was about to raise my arm when she saved me. The door back of me was thrown open wide and she stepped out into the cabin. How I thrilled to see her, erect, fearless, more beautiful than ever. She had thrown some sort of a robe about her, and thrust her bare feet into slippers. She had gathered the cloak over her breast with one hand. Her hair was disheveled, but how beautiful she appeared. The men recoiled and I stepped back myself.
“I have heard all,� she cried, “you murderous villains, to have killed my captain and seized my ship, and you—you—� she turned to me, “to have bargained for me and to have bought me like an animal, a horse, a dog— Oh, if I had a weapon!�