“Oh, you willian! I’d like to wring your neck for comin’ into my dispartment without axin’ permission.”
A strange flicker shot from the eyes of the warrior as they followed her for a moment, but he neither moved nor spoke, his gaze reverting again to his conqueror.
Under the deft manipulation of Dinah’s fingers, the flames shot up with more vigor than before. Then, recalling the risk that this involved, Mrs. Shirril told her to come to her side, where she would be out of range of any of their enemies who might be near the windows.
“That will burn for a considerable time,” added the lady, referring to the fire the servant 162 had renewed, “so, if you please, you may go to the scuttle and see how the captain is getting along.”
“Wouldn’t you like to do that, missis?” asked Dinah.
“But I must watch this person.”
“I’ll do dat.”
Her mistress, however, read her meaning in her tones and manner. She was eager to get a chance at the fellow, and, if she did, even for only a few seconds, it would go hard with him.
“No; I will attend to him; do as I told you.”
There was no questioning the decision of the little lady, and Dinah, with another threatening gesture at the painted face of the savage, went by him and began climbing the ladder.