The Hot Swamp | Page 5

on his sword.
The sword in question was noteworthy. It was a single-handed weapon
of iron, made in Egypt, to suit the size and strength of its owner, and
was large enough to have served as a two-handed sword for most men.

"You can throw a javelin, no doubt?" asked the captain, as he watched
the young man's leisurely preparations for the expected combat.
"Yes, I have practised throwing the spear a good deal--both in peace
and war."
"Good. I have got one here that will suit you. It belonged to my
grandfather, who was a stout man, and made powerful play with it
during a neighbouring tribe's raid--when I was a baby--to the
discomfort, I have been told, and surprise of his foes. I always keep it
by me for luck, and have myself used it on occasion, though I prefer a
lighter one for ordinary use. Here it is--a pretty weapon," he continued,
drawing a javelin of gigantic proportions from under the gunwale and
handing it to Bladud. "But we must proceed with caution in this matter.
Take off your helmet at present, and try to look frightened if you can."
"I fear me that will be difficult, captain."
"Not in the least. Look here, nothing is easier when you get used to it."
As he spoke Arkal caused his stern visage to relax into a look of such
amiable sheepishness that Bladud could not repress a sudden laugh
which recalled and intensified the captain's fierce expression instantly.
"Learn to subdue yourself, young man," he muttered sternly. "If these
pirates hear laughter, do you think they can be made to believe we are
afraid of them?"
"Forgive me, captain; if you had seen your own face, you would have
joined in the laugh. I will be more careful. But how do you mean to
proceed, and what do you wish me to do?"
Captain Arkal, who was restored to good-humour by this compliment
to his power of expression, as well as by the modesty with which the
prince received his rebuke, explained his intentions--in low, earnest
tones, however, for they were by that time drawing near to the piratical
craft.

Having got well ahead of the Penelope, it had backed its sail and lay
still, awaiting her coming up.
"Creep to the bow, Bladud, with your helmet off, and show as little of
your bulk as may be. Show only your head above the bulwarks, and
look as miserable as I did just now--more so if you can. Take your
sword, javelin, and shield with you. I need say no more to a man of war.
Use them when you see your opportunity."
Bladud received his orders in silence, and obeyed them with that
unquestioning and unhesitating promptitude which is one of the surest
evidences of fitness to command. Meanwhile the mate, who was
accustomed to his captain's habits, and needed no instructions, had
caused the sailors to lay their shields and swords out of sight at their
feet, so that they might approach the pirates in the character of simple
traders who were completely cowed by the appearance of the foe. To
increase this aspect of fear, the sail was lowered as they drew near, and
the oars were used to complete the distance that yet intervened between
the two vessels.
This humble and submissive approach did not, however, throw the
pirates quite off their guard. They stood to their arms and prepared to
spring on board their victim when close enough. As the pirate vessel
lay motionless on the water she presented her broadside to the trader.
The captain took care to steer so that this relative position should be
maintained. The pirate chief, a huge man in rude armour, with a
breast-plate of thick bull-hide and a shield of the same on his left arm,
gave orders to pull the oars on one side of his vessel so that the two
might be brought alongside.
They were about fifty yards apart at the moment. Before the order
could be carried into effect, however, Arkal uttered a low hiss. Instantly
the double banks of oars bent almost to the breaking point, and the
Penelope leaped forward like a sentient creature. Each man seized
sword and shield and sprang up, and Bladud, forgetting both helmet
and shield in the hurry of the moment, poised the mighty javelin which
had so astonished its owner's enemies in days gone by, and in another
moment hurled it shrieking through the air. It flew straight as a

thunderbolt at the pirate chief; pierced through shield and breastplate,
and came out at his back, sending him headlong into the arms of his
horrified crew.
The whole incident was so sudden that the pirates had scarcely time to
recover from their surprise when the bow of