“Good; we will make a run for it, flying dot-and-carry-one as we go.”
While they had been speaking the seigneur had been thinking; and now, even as several figures appeared at a little distance in the trees, making towards the manor, he said, with a loud laugh:
“BUONESPOIR LOOKED TO THE PRIMING OF HIS PISTOLS”
“No. ’Tis the way of a fool to put his head between the door and the jamb. ’Tis but a hundred yards to safety. Follow me—to the sea—Abednego last. This way, bullies!”
Without a word all three left the house and walked on in the order indicated, as De Carteret’s halberdiers ran forward threatening.
“Stand!” shouted the sergeant of the halberdiers. “Stand, or we fire!”
But the three walked straight on unheeding. When the sergeant of the men-at-arms recognized the seigneur he ordered down the blunderbusses.
“We come for Buonespoir the pirate,” said the sergeant.
“Whose warrant?” said the seigneur, fronting the halberdiers, Buonespoir and Abednego behind him.