e other, and had out a
long dagger-knife sheathed, that he loosened to lie free for instant use.
'It has done service before. Can you stand? are you able?' It was
darkening so that sight could inform them but little concerning the
Alien.

Christian was regarding them not at all. From head to foot he was
trembling, so that he had ado to stand upright and keep the boat
straight. Not from restraint his lips were bitten and his breath laboured
hard: quick revulsion had cast him down, so passion-spent,
conscience-stricken, and ashamed, that scarcely had he virtue left for
the face of a man.

Their advance strung him, for he saw the significant reserve of each
right hand. That his misdeed justified any extreme he knew, not conscious
in his sore compunction of any right to resist even for his life. He
waited without protest, but neither offered to strike.

Reason bade for quick despatch--very little would have provoked it; but
not Philip at his worst could conduct a brutal butchery, when conviction
dawned that a human creature stood at their mercy by his own mere
resolute submission. With names of coward and devil he struck him first,
but they did not stir him to affording warrant. The Adventurer took up
the word.

'Brutal coward, or madman, which you be, answer for your deed; confess
you are a traitor paid and approved.'

He shook his head.

'Why else have you now half murdered your fellow? Verily are you an alien
through and through, for no man born on these shores would so basely
betray a trust.'

'Nor I,' he got out, and rather wished they would strike with their
hands.

'You lie!' said his accuser; 'or robbery, or murder, or treachery you
intend--or all. Own your worst; try it; this time openly, fairly: your
brute strength upon two who are not your match: on your mate damaged from
your foul handling: on an old man, whose gold you have taken, the trust
of whose life you have accepted.'

He could not attempt a protest, though his heart was like to break
enforced to silence. The other advanced in temerity with an order.

'You have a knife. Give it up.'

He obeyed without a word. Then the two made no reserve, but with a show
of bare steel proved his temper. He did not lift a hand.

Lois might come to hear of his transgression: she would never know how
hard it was to atone, because they dawdled so cruelly, because he knew
they would bungle so cruelly: he did not think either had force to drive
a blade home at