"Doesn't suit anybody that I know of," growled the sergeant.
"And me first of all," I said; "so badly that I have a strong inclination to go away pretty soon."
I looked the old man fixedly in the eye. I wanted him to read my intention in my looks. But he only smiled and replied:
"Not many would stay if all went that wanted to--Would go away myself."
"Why do you not?"
"Been with the captain now five-and-twenty years. Stay with him till I die."
"That may happen any day."
Again I looked at him steadily in the face. This time the expression of my look struck him.
"Look like a bear with seven senses. Got a robber-murderous-gallows look,"[[5]] said he.
"What I am not, I may be yet," I said; "what if I were to throttle you this moment? I am thrice as strong as you."