"No, my lad, t'other chap: him as this cap belonged to. Ah, he was a devil, he was. Can't fancy him dead, somehow; seemed as though the water wasn't made as could have drowned him; always said he was born for the gallows, and joked about it. But he's gone this time, and I've got his cap. 'Tis a hard thought that I should outlive him; but, curse him, I've done it, and here's his cap for proof--why, what the devil is the lad staring at?" During his muttered soliloquy I had turned for a moment to look across Polkimbra Beach, when suddenly my eyes were arrested and my heart again set violently beating by a sight that almost made me doubt whether the events of the morning were not still part of a wild and disordered dream. For there, at about fifty yards' distance, and advancing along the breakers' edge, was another man, dressed like my companion, and also watching the sea. "What's the matter, boy? Speak, can't you?" "It's a man." "A man! Where?" He made a motion forwards to look over the edge, but checked himself, and crouched down close against the rock. "Lie down!" he murmured in a hoarse whisper. "Lie down low and look over." My arm was clutched as though by a vice. I sank down flat, and peered over the edge. "It's a man," I said, "not fifty yards off, and coming this way. He has on a red shirt, and is watching the sea just as you did. I don't think that he saw us." "For the Lord's sake don't move. Look; is he tall and dark?" His terrified excitement was dreadful. I thought I should have had to shriek with pain, so tightly he clutched me, but found voice to answer-- "Yes, he seems tall, and dark too, though I can't well see at--" "Has he got earrings?" "I can't see; but he walks with a stoop, and seems to have a sword or something slung round his waist." "God defend us! that's he! Curse him, curse him! Lie down--lie down, I say! It's death if he catches sight of us." We cowered against the rock. My companion's face was livid, and his lips worked as though fingers were plucking at them, but made no sound. I never saw such abject, hopeless terror. We waited thus for a full minute, and then I peered over the ledge again. He was almost directly beneath us now, and was still watching the sea. At his side hung a short sheath, empty. I could not well see his face, but the rings in his ears glistened in the sunlight. I drew back cautiously, for my companion was plucking at my jacket. "Listen," he said--and his hoarse voice was sunk so low that I could scarcely catch his words--"Listen. If he catches us it's death-- death to me, but perhaps he may let you off, though he's a cold-blooded, murderous devil. However, there's no saying but you might get off. Any way, it'll be safest for you to have this. Here, take it quick, and stow it away in your jacket, so as he can't see it. For the love of God, look sharp!"