I remained in the tavern for some time; in fact, till it wore on towards midnight. Then, a bell ringing in the town, the landlord rose and advised his guests to depart. A rule of the city closed all public houses at that hour. Slowly, by ones and twos, the riotous sailors took their leave, helping along those who were too drunk to walk alone. My seat was in the corner where a high buffet threw me into the shadow. For this reason probably the host overlooked me, and, for I remained till the last, he thought that the room was quite empty, though I still lingered in the shadow. He stepped to the door to usher out the last guest. On his return he faced the girl menacingly. “What is this you told me to-day?” he demanded in a fierce tone. “I am going to leave you, sir.” “Ha, hussy, I don’t know about that. By whose authority are you going to leave?” “By my own.” She did not quail at his brutal tone, but stood unflinching as she had stood before the brute of a sailor who had insulted her in the early evening. “There is nothing in my agreement to prevent my going when I like.” “There is this in our agreement, wench,” he said, gripping her hand. “We are here alone, and I tell you plainly that you do not leave this house. You know what I can do when I am in earnest.” “Let go my hand,” she answered. “You hurt me.” Instead of releasing his grip he squeezed her wrist so hard that she cried out in pain. “Yes, let go,” said I, stepping into view. He wheeled round in amazement and dropped the girl’s hand. “Who the devil are you?” The excitement of the evening had told on the girl’s nerves. Her spirit was weakened as we stood in the deserted room that a moment before had been a very bedlam. “Oh, take me away,” she cried piteously. “He will beat me if you leave me here.” The landlord caught up a chair and lifted it above his head. “Get out of here,” he cried, coming toward me with a swing of the chair aloft. “Too fast,” I replied, drawing my sword. “Too fast, my friend. Put down that chair.” He obeyed with a vengeance and I sprang aside just in time to avoid the blow. The chair broke to pieces and then I had him at the mercy of my sword. He was a bully by nature and a coward at heart. He was soon whimpering in the corner and begging for grace. I directed the girl to go to her room and get ready to leave. The main part of her luggage was already aboard the brig and she had left but a few things to take with her. While she was doing as I bade her, I guarded the innkeeper and enjoyed the scared replies he made to my continual threats. We soon left him to shut up the shop alone and went out into the street. “You can obtain respectable lodging for the night in the house next to where I am stopping,” I said. “Will you let me take you there?”