"Ah! damn! You're a white-livered rogue!" exclaimed the one on the Captain's left, a very stout fellow, with a patch over one eye, and a bright red scar from chin to temple. "You're always for being careful--no wonder you've got the name of Coward--you----" "Shut up!"--said the other--"We won't quarrel before strangers, but I tell you that you're a dirty dog, One Eye.--Put back your sword, or I'll break every bone in your damn body!" "Gentlemen! Gentlemen! I beg of you restrain yourselves!" said the Captain. "Remember, there is work before us. Afterward, we shall be glad to see you fight it out--though I question, not at all, that One Eye will lose as usual." He drew out his snuff-box and, with all the air of a Court dandy, took a pinch of its contents, dusted the traces from his shoulder, with a fine white handkerchief, and replaced the box. He was a small man, his dress was black velvet, and there was nothing about him to distinguish him from a peaceful gentleman, save that his rapier was of somewhat unusual length, and hung a little forward, and ready to his hand. "I am a bit perturbed, over what course to pursue," he continued. "We can board a ship, easy enough, but it is not quite the same with a house. The general aspect of the surrounding premises suggests that there is a goodly company concealed within, and, we can assume, prepared to defend to the uttermost." He paused, took a fresh pinch of snuff, the handkerchief was flourished again, and the box replaced. "I like to know something of the milk that is in the cocoanut before I crack it, but, I reckon, I shall have to take this one wholly on faith. I thought to surprise them, but that fellow on horseback upset my plans--for which he shall be turned over to your tender mercies, One Eye, if we take him alive." "I'd sooner have my pick of the women, if there be any," was the surly answer. "If any woman wants you, she may take you," said the Captain, gently. "Otherwise, you know the rules." Whereat, the Coward laughed mockingly and twirled his moustache, while One Eye cursed him under his breath. "Well, are we going to rest here all day?" he exclaimed. "If we are not to attack, let us back to the brig. We would be in nice case if some one captured her, while we're nosing around ashore--this is a crazy expedition, anyway, so far from the ship." "The only thing you are fit for," said the Captain, "is to stir up trouble. We've never overhauled a prize, but it ought to have had more treasure or more girls aboard. It is an awful affliction, One Eye, to have it so in the blood. But there is some truth in what you say--we are a half mile from the brig and it is dangerous. Suppose you bear our terms to the man at the door, yonder." "Not I, Captain! I'm ready to take my chances with the rest, but excuse me from walking up, alone, to be shot." The other surveyed him with an amiable smile. "Afraid, are you----" "No, I'm not afraid," said One Eye, laying hand on his sword. "But I----"