“So you are alive, are you? You’d better call them off, or I’ll shoot first, and be sorry after.”
“They’re not touching you, you fool!”
“No, and I’m not going to wait until they are.”
The things were coming unpleasantly close—their approach setting every nerve in my body on edge. In another second or two I would have fired. Luke caught me by the arm.
“Gently, captain, gently. The snakes won’t hurt you; our friend won’t let them. It’s only his way. Captain, let me introduce you to my old friend, Mr. Benjamin Batters. My friend and me haven’t seen each other for years, have we, Ben?”
“Can’t say I ever wanted to see you.”
“Just so, just so; still friends do meet again. Ben, this is Captain Lander.”
“He doesn’t seem to know his proper place.”
“When I glance in your direction, Mr. Batters, I’m inclined to make the same remark of you.”
“Damn the man!”