“Scat it on the head,” said Will, “then give me a hand.”
He was helped to his feet; the servant went on before with the lamp, and Blanchard, finding himself able to walk without difficulty, proceeded, slowly supporting himself by the poacher’s gun.
Grimbal waited for him to speak and presently he did so.
“Things falls out so different in this maze of a world from what man may count on.”
“How came it that you were here?”
“Blamed if I can tell ’e till I gather my wits together. ’Pears half a century or so since I comed; yet ban’t above two hour agone.”
“You didn’t come to see Sam Bonus, I suppose?”
“No fay! Never a man farther from my thought than him when I seed un poke up his carrot head under the moon. I was ’pon my awn affairs an’ comed to see you. I wanted straight speech an’ straight hitting; an’ I got ’em, for that matter. An’ fightin’ ’s gude for the blood, I reckon—anyway for my fashion blood.”
“You came to fight me, then?”
“I did—if I could make ’e fight.”