“Pish! I have my sword.”
“A sword is of no use for parrying a cowardly stab in the back.”
“Of course not; but there is no danger now the people have become friendly.”
“Only on the surface, sir. The fire has been smothered down for a while, but it is smouldering, and ready to burst out the moment it is fanned.”
Dick looked at him curiously.
“So you don’t want me to get a knife in my back?”
“I’d sooner have it in my own, sir,” cried the man earnestly. “It really is very dangerous, sir. Don’t be angry with me, even if it is a liberty for a private to take with his officer.—Mr Darrell.”
“Well?”
“You asked me to do something once.”
“I did, Hanson; and so far you have done it well.”