"Let it be enough for you that you are here," he said; "here, among friends. After your visit to me down the river—you remember that visit, I think?—I felt that I might see you again. But I had no thought it would come about like this."
"Just now," said Anthony, "I have not the strength to answer, or do, as I'd like. And so I ask you put over a boat and have me set ashore before we drop below the city."
The one-eyed man put the heel of his hand against Anthony's chest and threw him against the low top of the cabin.
"You still have that demanding tongue, have you?" he said. "You still think you have but to lift your hand and every one will give way to you." He struck Anthony viciously in the face. "I have something to pay you for, and I'll pay it to the last copper before you are out of my hands."
He was drawing back for another blow when a woman's voice, hurried, breathless, full of anger, said:
"Citizen Captain! Are you a coward, to strike a man so helpless as this?"
It was Mademoiselle Lafargue; she thrust herself between the two, her strong young arm held out to support Anthony, her eyes, full of scorn, upon the master of the privateer.
"Ah, do not be afraid, citoyenne," said he. "He is as strong as a wild boar; and this time it is but my hands I use."
But the girl ignored him; she called to some of the people of the watch.
"He is hurt," she said. "Take him somewhere where he can be quiet."