while I was doing it Cadman came up, in his low surly way, and said, 'I
want my gun, missus; I never shoot with no other gun than that. Captain
says I may shoot a sea-pye, for the little ones.' And so I always called
it 'Cadman's gun.' I have not been able to think much yet. But if that
gun is lost, I shall know who it was that lost a gun that dreadful
night."

"All this is most strictly to the purpose," answered Mordacks, "and
may prove most important. We could never hope to get those six men off,
without throwing most grave suspicion elsewhere; and unless we can get
those six men off, their captain will come and surrender himself, and be
hanged, to a dead certainty. I doubted his carrying the sense of right
so far, until I reflected upon his birth, dear madam. He belongs, as I
may tell you now, to a very ancient family, a race that would run their
heads into a noose out of pure obstinacy, rather than skulk off. I am
of very ancient race myself, though I never take pride in the matter,
because I have seen more harm than good of it. I always learned Latin
at school so quickly through being a grammatical example of descent.
According to our pedigree, Caius Calpurnius Mordax Naso was the Governor
of Britain under Pertinax. My name means 'biting'; and bite I can,
whether my dinner is before me, or my enemy. In the present case I shall
not bite yet, but prepare myself for doing so. I watch the proceedings
of the government, who are sure to be slow, as well as blundering.
There has been no appointment to this command as yet, because of so
many people wanting it. This patched-up peace, which may last about six
months (even if it is ever signed), is producing confusion everywhere.
You have an old fool put in charge of this station till a proper
successor is appointed."

"He is not like Captain Carroway, sir. But that concerns me little now.
But I do wish, for my children's sake, that they would send a little
money."

"On no account think twice of that. That question is in my hands, and
affords me one of the few pleasures I derive from business. You are
under no sort of obligation about it. I am acting under authority. A man
of exalted position and high office--but never mind that till the proper
time comes; only keep your mind in perfect rest, and attend to your
children and yourself. I am obliged to proceed very warily, but you
shall not be annoyed by that scoundrel. I will provide for that before I
leave; also I will see