only rebel
and murderer. Let us fight it out, sir. You can all retire to a distance
and remain in profound ignorance of any such affair. If I fall, you have
nothing to fear. If he falls,--why, I shall not run away, and the Due
Return sails to-morrow."

He eyed me closely from under frowning brows.

"And when your wife's a widow, what then?" he asked abruptly.

I have not known many better men than this simple, straightforward,
soldierly Governor. The manliness of his character begot trust, invited
confidence. Men told him of their hidden troubles almost against their
will, and afterward felt neither shame nor fear, knowing the simplicity
of his thoughts and the reticence of his speech. I looked him in the
eyes, and let him read what I would have shown to no other, and felt no
shame. "The Lord may raise her up a helper," I said. "At least she won't
have to marry him."

He turned on his heel and moved back to his former station between us
two. "My Lord Carnal," he said, "and you, Captain Percy, heed what I
say; for what I say I will do. You may take your choice: either you will
sheathe your swords here in my presence, giving me your word of honor
that you will not draw them upon each other before his Majesty shall
have made known his will in this matter to the Company, and the Company
shall have transmitted it to me, in token of which truce between you you
shall touch each other's hands; or you will pass the time between this
and the return of the ship with the King's and the Company's will in
strict confinement,--you, Captain Percy, in gaol, and you, my Lord
Carnal, in my own poor house, where I will use my best endeavors to
make the days pass as pleasantly as possible for your lordship. I have
spoken, gentlemen."

There was no protest. For my own part, I knew Yeardley too well to
attempt any; moreover, had I been in his place, his course should have
been mine. For my Lord Carnal,--what black thoughts visited that fierce
and sullen brain I know not, but there was acquiescence in his face,
haughty, dark, and vengeful though it was. Slowly and as with one motion
we sheathed our swords, and more slowly still repeated the few words
after the Governor. His Honor's countenance shone with relief. "Take
each other by the hand, gentlemen, and then let 's all to breakfast at
my own house, where there shall be no feud save with good capon pasty
and jolly good ale." In dead silence my lord and I touched each other's
finger ti