“Sir?”
“Hurry, I say! You are going too.”
“Me?”
“Yes! We are going to take Mr. Vancouver away from those beasts.”
Without a change of expression he made a pretense of preparation. In doing so, he edged up to the barred door, placed his wide back against it, and calmly faced me.
“What do you mean by that?” I demanded in a fury.
“Sir?”
“Stand aside, Christopher!”
“Me, sir?”
In exasperation I seized the copper vessel and advanced upon him. Not a muscle of his body moved; his ape-like arms hung loose; his hands were open. But it was not his defenselessness that stayed me. Far more potent was the deep devotion in his eyes, which held a profounder sadness than usual. It was a dash of cold water on my heat, but not my determination. In all kindness I would reason with him.