“Ah!” panted Maqueda.
“The Gentile has lost his head,” began Joshua in a voice full of the triumph that he could not hide. “He—will——”
Joshua got no further, for Quick, turning, threatened him savagely with his fist, saying in English:
“Stow your jaw if you don’t want to follow him, you swine,” whereon Joshua, who understood the gesture, if not the words, relapsed into silence.
Now the Mountaineer on the farther side spoke, saying:
“Have no fear, the ladder is safe.”
For a moment Oliver remained in his crouching posture on the board, which was all that separated him from an awful death in the gulf beneath. Next, while we watched, agonized, he rose to his feet again, and with perfect calmness walked across to its other end.
“Well done our side!” said Quick, addressing Joshua, “why don’t your Royal Highness cheer? No, you leave that knife alone, or presently there’ll be a hog the less in this world,” and stooping down he relieved the Prince of the weapon which he was fingering with his round eyes fixed upon the Sergeant.
Maqueda, who had noted all, now interfered.
“My uncle,” she said, “brave men are risking their lives yonder while we sit in safety. Be silent and cease from quarrelling, I pray you.”