Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 21, 2025
They were stationed just out of range of our only effective long-distance weapon, but it was evident that egress on that side was barred; and the same was the case on the other. Hogvardt had seen men moving in the wood, and had heard their challenges to one another, repeated at regular intervals. We were shut off from the sea; we were shut off from the cottage.
And when I went to sleep I was thinking, not how to save Francesca, but how to console Euphrosyne, a matter really of less urgency, as I should have seen had not the echo of that sad little cry still filled my ears. The news that Hogvardt brought me, when I woke in the morning and was enjoying a slice of cow steak, by no means cleared my way.
They were fine, tall, capable-looking fellows, and they, too, with ourselves, made a crew more than large enough for our little boat; for both Denny and I would make ourselves useful on board, and Hogvardt could do something of everything on land or water, whilst Watkins acted as cook and steward.
"I do not see," remarked old Hogvardt, laying a hand on my shoulders, "any harm in loading our revolvers, my lord." I did not see any harm in it either, and we all followed Hogvardt's advice, and also filled our pockets with cartridges. I was determined I think we were all determined not to be bullied by these islanders and their skull-and-crossbones ditty.
"I wonder if there's any chance of a row?" said Denny, in a tone that sounded wistful. "Going to take anybody with you, Charlie?" "Only Watkins. I must have him; he always knows where everything is; and I've told Hogvardt, my old dragoman, to meet us in Rhodes. He'll talk their own language to the beggars, you know." "But he's a German, isn't he?" "He thinks so," I answered.
For nearly a mile we mounted, the way becoming steeper with every step. Then there was a sudden turn off the main road. "That will lead to the house," said Hogvardt, who had studied the map of Neopalia very carefully. "Then we'll have a look at the house. Show us a light, Hogvardt. It's precious dark." Hogvardt opened his lantern, and cast its light in the way.
"Well, I hope it won't come to that." Hogvardt rose, and began to move round the hall, examining the weapons that decorated the walls. From time to time he grunted disapprovingly; the guns were useless, rusted, out of date, and there was no ammunition for them.
My first impulse was to go straight to the spot; but I had begun by now to doubt whether the Neopalians were not unsophisticated in quite as peculiar a sense as that in which they were good-hearted; so I called Denny and Hogvardt, bidding the latter to bring his lantern with him. Thus protected, I stepped out of the door, in the direction from which the sigh had come.
Hearing beds mentioned, Watkins shook his head in dismal presage, saying: "We had better sleep on board, my lord." "Not I! What, leave the island, now we've got here? No, Watkins!" "Very good, my lord," said Watkins, impassively. A sudden call came from Hogvardt, and I joined him at the window. The scene outside was indeed remarkable.
So we stood, Denny and I at one window, Hogvardt and Watkins at the other, and watched the approaching figures. No more appeared; the main body did not show itself, and the sound of the fierce chant had suddenly died away. But all at once a third man appeared, running rapidly after the first two. He caught the shorter by the arm, and seemed to argue or expostulate with him.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking