'Have you any skill with the small-sword?' asked Danvers.
'No,' said Hornblower. Truth to tell, he had never even handled one.
'Then it had better be pistols,' said Preston.
'Simpson is probably a good shot,' said Danvers. 'I wouldn't care to stand up before him myself.'
'Easy now,' said Preston hastily. 'Don't dishearten the man.
'I'm not disheartened,' said Hornblower, 'I was thinking the same thing myself.'
'You're cool enough about it, then,' marvelled Danvers.
Hornblower shrugged.
'Maybe I am. I hardly care. But I've thought that we might make the chances more even.'
'How?'