I saw his eyes shifting, first on one side of me and then on the other, as he sought a path of escape, but I stood in the way.
“Go your journey, and let me go mine,” he said, “for I’m no pleasant person to provoke, mate.”
“Until I have done with you, our journey is together,” I remarked. “You may go when you have answered some of my questions.” Then assuming to know more than I did, I asked:
“Where did Sir George Keith and the woman sail to in your boat?”
The sailor started back as if I had struck him, and his face grew white with fear.
“Damn you!” he cried, raising his club.
I had drawn my sword, and with it I knocked the clumsy weapon from his hand. Before he could pick up another I had him by the shoulder, and my steel was at his throat.
“Will you answer now?” I asked gently.
“I suppose I must,” he said sullenly.[sullenly.]
“Unless you would rather lie here dead,” I responded.