“Have we then your permission to proceed, sir?”
“You have both announced your determination to do as you like,” said Paul Jones, bitterly, “and I will raise no hand to prevent you carrying out your plans. But the responsibility shall be your own; I will have no hand in the affair.”
Without another word, the mutinous officers ordered the men to advance; and away they went toward the hall, their side arms clanking and their sullen eyes avoiding the glance of their angry commander.
History relates how they found the countess in the hall, and surrounded it; how they demanded the plate chest, and how it was given up to them by the lady almost without protest. Ethan and Longsword had followed the party, and with face scarlet with shame the former watched the seamen bear off the chest.
“It seems, Longsword,” said the lad, his eyes smoldering with rage, “that we have turned thieves.”
“Yes, faith, and nasty, low-down thieves in the bargain,” agreed the Irish dragoon.
“Look at the captain,” said Ethan, pointing to the slight figure of the Ranger’s young commander as he paced up and down beneath the trees, with bent head and hands clasped behind him.
There was a set, hard look upon his face as he raised it, and saw the men returning with their plunder. But he said not a word, and at once proceeded to make ready for their return to the Ranger.
Ethan and Longsword were some distance behind the party; the shame that they felt in this act of knavery would not permit them to mingle with the others; and as they were passing a high and beautifully trimmed hedge, the first man clambered into one of the boats.
“Make haste,” said Longsword, “we shall be left behind.”