self who (though
possessing eyes) am yet not as other men, being indeed one set apart
and dedicated to a just act of vengeance. But for this, I too might
have been happy perchance and with a hope of greater happiness to be."

Something the like of this was in my thoughts while the song was
a-singing, and I half-blinded by tears that would not be blinked away.
Howbeit, the song ending, I was aware of a man's voice something
high-pitched and precise:

"I vow and protest, dear madam, 'tis rare--a night angelic and an angel
here to sing us to an ecstasy."

"Faith, Joan," says another voice, "your singing might draw any man's
heart out of him, sweet cousin."

"And that is but bald truth, I vow, my lady!" spoke a third.

"Why then, gentlemen," says she, laughing, "here's an angel will to bed
ere so ill a chance befall you."

Now here (being minded to steal a look upon her) I rose, and creeping
to the great mast, edged myself into the shadow and so beheld one that
crouched there already, and knew him for that same red-headed fellow I
had belaboured with the rope's-end. He was staring up at the
quarter-deck and, following his look, I saw my lady stand leaning upon
the rail, her shapely figure outlined against the moonlight, her face
upraised to the sky. So stood she awhile, the gentlemen beside her
(very brave in their velvets and new-fangled great periwigs) until came
her maid Marjorie; then she sighed, acknowledged the gentlemen's bows
and flourishes with a graceful curtesy, and bidding them a laughing
"good-night" went her way, her shapely arm about Marjorie's trim waist.
Hereupon the red-headed fellow uttered a sound 'twixt a sigh and groan,
and beholding him now as he yet stared after her, I saw his face
convulse and a look in his eyes as he tongued his lips as made my very
gorge rise, and I crept a pace nearer.

"Be that you, Smiler?" says he, his gaze still fixed. "O mate, yon's a
rare dainty bit--a sweet armful, Smiler--"

"Dog!" I cried in sudden choking fury. At this he leapt back, hardly
escaping my fist.

"Ha--is't you again!" cries he, and with the words sprang at me and
fetched me a staggering buffet in the mouth. At this (forgetting all
prudence) I closed with him, and, heedless of his blows, secured the
wrestling grip I sought and wrenching him down and across my knee, saw
his face suddenly be-splashed with the blood from my cut mouth the
while I strove to choke him to silence. But he struggled