"Thou blockhead! Whilst thou wert still under the water it occurred to me to fill thy musket with earth and gird thy dagger to my side. Utter but a cry and thou wilt have no need to wait for to-morrow to lay thy head at thy feet."
At these words the damsel squeezed the eunuch's arm so emphatically that he bent down before her.
"What dost thou command?"
"I have already told thee."
"I am playing with my own head."
"That is not as bad as if I were playing with it."
"What dost thou want of me?"
"I want thee to row me across to the opposite shore."
"There is only one skiff on the island, and in that Yffim Beg is wont to fish."
"Oh, why have I never learnt to swim!" cried Azrael, collapsing in despair.