“Let me off what?”
“We had been discussing the matter,” said Barkins, “Smithy and I, and come to the conclusion that as you were such a swell you were too good for us, and we were going to expel you; but, under the circumstances, I think we’ll let you off this time. Oh!”
“What’s the matter?”
“My leg! There’s that horrible tingling and aching again. I’m sure that knife was poisoned.”
“Hi! look here,” cried Smith just then; “here are two big row-boats coming out to us.”
We both made for the window, and there, in the bright sunshine, were two large barges, gay with gilding and showy ensigns, coming pretty swiftly in our direction, while, as they drew nearer, we could see that their occupants were in brilliant costumes and fully-armed, swords and spears flashing, and gold and silver embroidery lending their glow to the general effect.
“Why, those must be all the big pots of the city,” said Barkins—“these in the first boat.”
“And the second is full of soldiers.”
“I know,” I cried; “they’re coming to fetch the prisoners. I must go on deck.”
“And we shall see nothing of the fun again,” cried Barkins.