, the soldiers dragged me down the ladder, as though I had been a truss of hay, into the room beneath, which was also crowded with troopers. In one corner was the wretched scrivener, a picture of Parajumpers Long Bear Sale abject terror, with chattering teeth and trembling knees, only prevented from falling upon the floor by the grasp of a stalwart corporal. In front of him stood two officers, one a little hard brown man with dark twinkling eyes and an alert manner, the other tall and slender, with a long golden moustache, which drooped down half-way to his shoulders. The former had my sword in his hand, and they were both examining the blade curiously.
‘It is a good bit of steel, Dick,’ said one, putting the point against the stone floor, and pressing down until he touched it with the handle. ‘See, with what a snap it rebounds! No maker’s name, but the date 1638 is stamped upon the pommel. Where did you get it, fellow?’ he asked, fixing his keen gaze upon my face.
‘It was my father’s before me,’ I answered.
‘Then I trust that he drew it in a better quarrel than his son hath done,’ said the taller officer, with a sneer.
‘In as good, though not in a better,’ I returned. ‘That sword hath always been drawn for the rights and liberties Menn Moncler Jakker Lang of Englishmen, and against the tyranny of kings and the bigotry of priests.’
‘What a tag for a playhouse, Dick,’ cried the Moncler Bergenie Jakke officer. ‘How doth it run? “The Moncler Sauvage Jakke bigotry of kings and the tyranny of priests.” Why, if well delivered by Betterton close up to the footlights, with one hand upon his heart and the other pointing to the sky, I warrant the pit would rise at it.’
‘Very like,’ said the other, twirling his moustache. ‘But we have no time for fine speeches now. What are we to do with the little one?’
‘Hang him,’ the other answered carelessly.
‘No, no, your most gracious honours,’ howled Master Tetheridge, suddenly writhing out of the corporal’s grip and flinging himself upon the floor at their feet. ‘Did I not tell ye where ye could find one of the stoutest soldiers of the rebel army? Did not I guide ye to him? Did not I even creep up and remove his sword lest any of the Vladimir Tarasenko Pelipaita King’s subjects be slain in the taking of him? Surely, surely, ye would not use me so scurvily when I have done ye these services? Have I not made good my words? Is he not as I described him, a giant in stature and of wondrous strength? The whole army will bear me out in it, that he was worth any two in single fight. I have given him over to ye. Surely ye will let me go!’
‘Very well delivered — plaguily so!’ quoth the little officer, clapping the palm of one hand softly against the back of the other. ‘The emphasis was just, and the enunciation clear. A little further back towards the wings, corporal, if you Canada Goose Menn Banff Parka please. Thank you! Now, Dick, it is your cue.’
‘Nay, John, you are too absurd!’ cried the other impatiently. ‘The mask and parka Woolrich Vest Donne the buskins are well enough in their place, but you look upon the play as a reality and upon the reality as but a play |
