erhaps, although I did
not think it curious then, that these men should have accepted so
unquestioningly Lancelot's command over them. But they were old
soldiers, who had promised to obey Captain Amber, and he had himself
devolved his command upon Lancelot. And so, until Lancelot went stark
staring mad, which he was not in the least likely to do, they were
perfectly prepared to obey him.

I should not be adhering to the spirit of truthfulness which I have
observed in setting down these my early experiences if I did not confess
that I faced the fact of coming conflict with very mingled emotions.
This was the very first time that I had ever seen human beings about
to close in bloody strife. Here I found myself standing up with arms
in my hands, ready to take away the life of a fellow-creature--to take
away the lives of several fellow-creatures, if needs must. Moreover, I
knew very well that there were plenty of chances of my getting knocked
on the head in this my first scrimmage, and I trembled a little
inwardly--though not, as I believe, outwardly--at the thought of my
promise to Marjorie. And yet even with that thought a new courage came
into my heart. For I immediately resolved that, come what might, I would
endeavour to carry myself in such a manner as Marjorie would have me
carry myself, namely, as an honest man should, fighting to the best of
his ability for what he believed to be the right cause, and not making
too much of a fuss about it. And that resolve nerved me better than a
dram of spirits would have done, and I set aside the flask from which I
had been on the point to help myself.

I do not know if Lancelot felt like that in any degree, and I never
presumed to question him on the point afterwards, as there are some
topics upon which gentlemen cannot approach each other, however great
the degree of intimacy may be between them. But he certainly carried
himself as composedly as if we were standing in a ball-room before the
dancing began. It is true that he had been brought up to understand the
military life and the use of arms, and he had seen a battle fought in
the Low Countries, and had fought a duel himself in France with some
uncivil fellow. He never looked handsomer, brighter, more gallant than
then, and his faded sea-clothes became him as well as the richest gala
suit or finest uniform that courtier or soldier ever wore. He had an
exquisite neatness of his person ever, and had contrived every day upon