Kirke leaped to his feet, his face swollen red, and his eyes blazing with a fierce passion that over-mastered his speech. He caught up the scabbard of the sword that lay beside him and attempted to draw the blade. Then Leake, who was sitting near Gervase, caught the outspoken envoy by the shoulders, and while Kirke still stood swearing incoherently, hurried him out of the gun-room. When they reached the deck he clapped him on the back with his broad palm, and cried with enthusiasm, “I like your spirit, my lad; that was the way to stand by your guns and rake him fore and aft. But it was ticklish work, let me tell you, to tackle him that way. He has got the wolf´s tusk in his mouth (he learnt that in Tangier) and likes to see a pair of heels dancing in the air. But you´ve done the trick, I think, this time, and the old _Dartmouth_ will have a chance of trying her ribs against the iron yonder. Now, clear your mind a bit and just tell me your story like a sensible lad, for you´ve got some common sense, and let me see if I can´t make some use of your knowledge after all.” “I´ve been a weak fool,” said Gervase, “to forget myself when so much depended on my discretion. I´ve ruined the best cause in the world.” “You have done nothing of the sort, sir, if I can lay a ship´s head by the compass. You have carried your point and the burghers yonder will hear the roaring of our guns before the day is out. The general hath been told what we dared not tell him in plain speech that there is no mistaking. Now let me know how matters are in the city, and what men and guns they have in the fort yonder at Culmore.” Then Gervase told his whole story soberly and plainly, without colour or exaggeration, but with such truth and effect that his hearer was so lost in admiration that he never interrupted him till he had drawn his tale to a close. Then he swore many oaths, but swearing with such honest and kindly feeling that Gervase forgave him, that such brave fellows were worth putting their lives in peril for, even if it did not profit His Majesty a farthing. And then he questioned Gervase searchingly, his eye scanning him narrowly all the time, about the forts between the city and the castle of Culmore, and where the cannon were posted and what was the weight of the guns. “Now,” he said, in conclusion, “get you back with Andrew Douglas, who is an honest man and a good mariner, and you´ll see what you will see. If there should be a little more wind and more northing in it, I´ll stake my reputation we´ll try of what strength yon timbers are, and you and I will get our share of the glory! Glory, lad! That stirs the blood. That thought about the long boats was a shrewd one, and I have an idea of my own about the way to draw their teeth at Culmore.”