The Buccaneer - A Tale

"By holy Paul! if that Lady's name passes your unworthy lips, my good

rapier shall pass straight through your unhallowed carcase!" exclaimed

the Cavalier fiercely, at the same time throwing back his cloak, and

drawing his sword more than half out of his scabbard.

"Hey ho! two can play at that: I never eat my words; so, the sword in

one hand, and the Canary in the other--to the health of----"

His mouth was stopped by the application of the palm of Robin's broad

hand to his unclosed lips; while he whispered some words into his ear,

that had the magical effect of restoring the weapon to its sheath, and

of inducing the braggart to resume the seat he had so hastily abandoned,

grumbling, in an under tone, words that fell indistinctly upon the ear

of his opposer.

"Let us home; it is a long and a dreary road to Cecil Place, and the

night is upon us already! so up, good Solomon. Here, landlord! this

fatted calf is unable to move: give him house-room till to-morrow; and

mind you put him on his way in time for the dinner-hour," was Robin's

parting speech. He then exchanged rough, but kindly salutations, with

his boon companions; and soon the trio--Walter, Springall, and Robin had

taken a by-path, leading to the part of the island in which Cecil Place

was situated.