And now, the fire blazing cheerily, Pluto outstretched beside me, one bright eye opening ever and anon, and a pistol in my belt, I took careful stock of our new-come-by possessions and found them to comprise the following, viz:
3 muskets with powder and shot a-plenty.
2 brace of pistols.
3 swords, with belts, hangers, etc.
3 steel backs and breasts.
4 morions.
1 beaver hat excellent wide in the brim, should do for Sir
Richard; he suffering much by the sun despite the hat of leaves
I had made him.
1 axe heavy and something blunted.
2 excellent knives,
2 wine skins, both empty.
3 flasks, the same.
Good store of meat with cakes of very excellent bread of cassava.
1 horse with furniture for same,
5 cloaks, something worn.
3 pair of boots, very serviceable.
1 tinder box.
1 coat.
One brass compass in the pocket of same and of more value to us, I thought, than all the rest, the which pleased me mightily; so that for a long time I sat moving it to and fro to watch the swing of the needle and so at last, what with the crackle of the fire and the brooding stillness beyond and around us, I presently fell a-nodding and in a little (faithless sentinel that I was) to heavy slumber.
CHAPTER XXVIII
WE FALL IN WITH ONE ATLAMATZIN, AN INDIAN CHIEF
I waked to a scream, a fierce trampling, an awful snarling, this drowned in the roar of a gun, and started up to see a glitter of darting steel that Sir Richard sought to parry with his smoking weapon. Then I was up, and, sword in hand, leapt towards his assailant, a tall, bearded man whose corselet flashed red in the fire-glow and who turned to meet my onset, shouting fiercely. And so we fell to it point and point; pushing desperately at each other in the half-light and raving pandemonium about us until more by good fortune than skill I ran him in the arm and shoulder, whereupon, gasping out hoarse maledictions, he incontinent made off into the dark. Then turned I to find myself alone; even the Indian had vanished, though from the darkness near at hand was a sound of fierce strife and a ringing shot. Catching up a musket I turned thitherward, but scarce had I gone a step than into the light of the fire limped Sir Richard and Pluto beside him, who licked and licked at his great muzzle as he came.
"Oh, Martin!" gasped Sir Richard, leaning on his musket and bowing his head, "oh, Martin—but for Pluto here—" And now, as he paused, I saw the dog's fangs and tongue horribly discoloured.
"'Tis all my fault!" said I bitterly. "I fell asleep at my post!"
"Aye!" he groaned, "whereby are two men dead and one by my hand, God forgive me!"
"Nay, but these were enemies bent on our murder!"