and seemed to
consider; and then, "Reach out both your hands!"

Dutton laid down his pistol, and so watery was the top surface that it
went clear out of sight; with an oath he stooped to snatch it; and as he
did so, Ballantrae leaned forth and stabbed him between the shoulders.
Up went his hands over his head--I know not whether with the pain or to
ward himself; and the next moment he doubled forward in the mud.

Ballantrae was already over the ankles; but he plucked himself out, and
came back to me, where I stood with my knees smiting one another. "The
devil take you, Francis!" says he. "I believe you are a half-hearted
fellow, after all. I have only done justice on a pirate. And here we are
quite clear of the _Sarah!_ Who shall now say that we have dipped our
hands in any irregularities?"

I assured him he did me injustice; but my sense of humanity was so much
affected by the horridness of the fact that I could scarce find breath
to answer with.

"Come," said he, "you must be more resolved. The need for this fellow
ceased when he had shown you where the path ran; and you cannot deny I
would have been daft to let slip so fair an opportunity."

I could not deny but he was right in principle; nor yet could I refrain
from shedding tears, of which I think no man of valour need have been
ashamed; and it was not until I had a share of the rum that I was able
to proceed. I repeat, I am far from ashamed of my generous emotion;
mercy is honourable in the warrior; and yet I cannot altogether censure
Ballantrae, whose step was really fortunate, as we struck the path
without further misadventure, and the same night, about sundown, came to
the edge of the morass.

We were too weary to seek far; on some dry sands, still warm with the
day's sun, and close under a wood of pines, we lay down and were
instantly plunged in sleep.

We awaked the next morning very early, and began with a sullen spirit a
conversation that came near to end in blows. We were now cast on shore
in the southern provinces, thousands of miles from any French
settlement; a dreadful journey and a thousand perils lay in front of us;
and sure, if there was ever need for amity, it was in such an hour. I
must suppose that Ballantrae had suffered in his sense of what is truly
polite; indeed, and there is nothing strange in the idea, after the
sea-wolves we had consorted with so long; and as for myself, he fubbed
me off unhandsomely, and any gentleman would have r