"Juliff, Juliff," he cried, but Juliff was so crippled by his fall that
he was no longer able to help his master. Then a strange light came into
his eyes, and his guard became weaker and weaker, until I wondered what
it meant, for all the Killigrews were fighters in one way or another.
I do not say that Otho Killigrew was not a brave man. In the ordinary
meaning of the word, he knew no fear, and could meet death as bravely
as another. But directly he knew that my wound was not mortal, and that
I had retained my mastery of the sword, he became a schemer and a
plotter again. In short, the Otho Killigrew who thought I was powerless
and the Otho Killigrew whose sword clashed against mine were two
different men. Keeping one eye on me, he gave a glance at Juliff who had
dragged himself to the hedge side. Evidently the man had broken some
limb in his fall from the horse, for one arm hung limp, and he groaned
loudly.
For my own part I had no mercy in my heart, and I had made up my mind to
kill him. That I was able to do this I had no manner of doubt. As I have
said he was no swordsman, and although my side ached sorely, the sinews
of my right arm seemed like steel bands. But for those words he had
spoken about Nancy, I should have contented myself with disabling him by
a flesh wound, but remembering what he had said, I felt I could be
satisfied with nothing less than his death. I think he saw this as he
looked into my eyes; for his face became pale and ashen; and he gasped
like a man whose throat is nearly choked.
"He who laughs last laughs best," I repeated grimly, and then he was
certain that he would get no mercy from me.
He was not like his brother Benet. That giant would never dream of
yielding, his one thought would be to fight to the very last--but Otho,
as I said, had again become cool and calculating. Doubtless he
remembered how much depended on him, and thought how the cause he loved
needed him. Anyhow he took to his heels, and ran rapidly in the
direction of Restormel.
"Coward!" I shouted, as he left me standing in the road. "Coward! Otho
Killigrew," I repeated again, as soon as I had gained my breath, but he
took no heed of my taunt, and indeed I was sorry afterward that I
uttered it.
I was master of the situation, however, and taking no thought of Juliff
who lay groaning by the hedge side, I caught Otho Killigrew's horse,
which had not been hurt by my pistol-shot, and jumped into the saddle.
My side pained me sorely as I did this, and now that my danger was over
I felt somewhat faint and dizzy. Indeed, I doubt much if I should have
been able to have walked to Tregothnan, for the house was several miles
beyond the lodge gates.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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