“I have my horn with me. Picture us stripped, comrade, you with a sharp knife, and I with my horn. We swim the moat after dark, and before the moon is up. I creep through the grass into the woods, get around behind the gentry, blow my horn like the last trump, and shout to my imaginary men to cut the rogues to pieces. We must trust to them getting a trifle ruffled. You will have to take your chance of saving the child.”
Martin stared at him fixedly.
“Why are you doing this?”
“Why? Why do we eat and sleep, man? Because we must. To cheat that red rogue over there is as natural as eating. Thunder! but I have forgotten one thing. The girl would not be able to swim.”
Martin hid his knowledge.
“I could carry her over. That is nothing.”
“Love could carry the moon! What say you to my plan, Martin Valliant?”
Martin stooped and caught Swartz by the shoulders.
“And I was near killing you two days ago!”
“Hard blows have begun many a good friendship. My heart’s with you, Martin Valliant.”